An abundance has been talked in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the web version of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it in no way compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the smoking ban throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the net. People realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the net can never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.