A lot has been reported in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the online variation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law around UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. People know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no option.