A lot has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to help keep the businesses alive. However can the net adaptation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Players know that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online could never replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.