Much has been stated in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax cuts to help keep the businesses afloat. However can the internet adaptation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its real life relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite places where people like to smoke.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.