An abundance has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the businesses alive. However does the net version of this classic game present a escape, or might it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an familiar game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban all over UK.
No more will players be allowed to smoke while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they haven’t deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can gamble on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left many bingo players with no option.