An abundance has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti smoking law in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the net adaptation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls in place of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across UK.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can gamble on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net can never replace the social part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.