Much has been reported in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the internet adaptation of this traditional game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an classic game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the net could never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little option.