A lot has been written in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But will the net adaptation of this classic game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its real life relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law all over United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most common places where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
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