Much has been stated in the papers recently about the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the web adaptation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent comeback in appeal with younger people deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t given up on this age old game?
The answer is online. Players are now realizing that they can wager on bingo from their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.