Much has been written in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However does the internet version of this quintessential game provide a escape, or will it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over United Kingdom.
No more will enthusiasts be permitted to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not forgotten this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.