An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the internet variation of this traditional game present a escape, or will it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an age old game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored areas where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no choice.