Much has been talked in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the industry alive. However will the net variation of this traditional game present a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had seen a recent return in popularity with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not forgotten this age old game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.