An abundance has been talked in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However does the online variation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger people opting to visit the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored areas where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they haven’t deserted this established game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realize that they can bet on bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal portion of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with no choice.