Much has been stated in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the net adaptation of this classic game present a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an enduring game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law around Britain.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players realise that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.