Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. But does the online variation of this classic game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent comeback in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular places where people like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the web. People know that they can enjoy bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with no choice.