Much has been stated in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the web version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had seen a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where players like to smoke.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet will never replace the social aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.