Much has been written in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the online variation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or will it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law across Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.