A lot has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the net version of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the enacting of the smoking ban across England and Wales.
No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite places where many people like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. Players know that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a drink and fag and still enjoy monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet will never replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with no choice.
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