A lot has been talked in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses alive. But does the web version of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an classic game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to change with the introduction of the smoking ban around Britain.
No more will players be permitted to smoke while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cig and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.
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