An abundance has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to help keep the industry alive. However will the online variation of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an classic game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law across Britain.
No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite places where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is online. People are now realizing that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the web can never replace the collective part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little option.