An abundance has been reported in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the web adaptation of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent return in popularity with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around Britain.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite areas where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is online. Players realize that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.