Much has been talked in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the internet variation of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an ancient game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law all over Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most common places where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t forgotten this established game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.
Comments