Much has been stated in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But does the net variation of this classic game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent increase in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the smoking ban around Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular places where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t cast aside this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the law has left many bingo players with no alternative.