Much has been stated in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But does the web adaptation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across United Kingdom.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common places where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can gamble on bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.