Much has been written in the press recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However can the net variation of this classic game present a salvation, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an ancient game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
No longer will players be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and smoke and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the net will never replace the communal part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no option.