An abundance has been written in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax cuts to help keep the businesses alive. However will the net variation of this traditional game provide a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an ancient game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had undergone a recent return in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban all over Britain.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular areas where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realise that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and fag and still have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo players with little choice.