An abundance has been reported in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. But will the web adaptation of this classic game provide a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life relative?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law across Britain.
No longer will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the net will never replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with no choice.