A lot has been written in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the internet version of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the cigarette ban all over England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular locations where players enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. Players are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with little alternative.
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