An abundance has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However can the net variation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or will it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored areas where folks like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the net will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.