A lot has been talked in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the net adaptation of this traditional game present a escape, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite places where people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can enjoy bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the web is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the law has left a number of bingo players with no option.