Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti cigarette 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 from going bankrupt. But does the web variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an established game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the smoking ban around England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on online will never replace the social part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.