A lot has been stated in the papers just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But can the online version of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent return in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
Players will no longer be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public places will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored areas where people like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not given up on this classic game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online will never replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.