Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However does the web version of this classic game offer a escape, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo has been an classic game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular locations where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Numbers have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Players realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and smoke and still have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.