An abundance has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the online version of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
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