Much has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to help keep the industry alive. However does the net adaptation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the cigarette ban all over United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite locations where folks like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the net. Players realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and fag and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.