Much has been written in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the internet adaptation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or will it not compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an enduring game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the smoking ban all over United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite areas where many people like to smoke.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the law has left a number of bingo players with little option.