Much has been stated in the press not long ago about the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the internet variation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored places where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can play bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the law has left many bingo players with no alternative.
Comments