An abundance has been talked in the press recently about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses afloat. But does the online variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to change with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over Britain.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they have not cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is online. People are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective part of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.