An abundance has been talked in the press not long ago about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses afloat. However can the internet variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti smoking law around England and Wales.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to smoke while marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the internet could never replace the social part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo players with no alternative.