Much has been written in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But does the net adaptation of this classic game present a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an familiar game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common locations where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can bet on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with no alternative.