An abundance has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet variation of this traditional game provide a escape, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an established game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored places where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and still have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little alternative.