A lot has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the internet adaptation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or might it in no way compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is online. People realise that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and smoke and still have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.