An abundance has been written in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the online adaptation of this traditional game present a escape, or will it in no way compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little choice.