A lot has been stated in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. However does the web version of this traditional game offer a escape, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an age old game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite places where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is online. Players know that they can play bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the net can never replace the social part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo players with little option.