A lot has been talked in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. However will the internet version of this traditional game provide a salvation, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law throughout UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they have not deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little option.