Much has been reported in the press not long ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However can the online variation of this quintessential game present a escape, or will it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where people like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web could never replace the collective part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo players with little choice.