An abundance has been stated in the papers just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the net variation of this classic game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored places where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t forgotten this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realize that they can gamble on bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and fag and still enjoy monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the net will never replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.