An abundance has been reported in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the net adaptation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an age old game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent return in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the smoking ban all over United Kingdom.
No more will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can wager on bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the internet could never replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with little option.