A lot has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the web adaptation of this classic game offer a escape, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t forgotten this established game?
The answer is online. Players are now realizing that they can bet on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beverage and fag and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on online will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.