An abundance has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. But does the online version of this quintessential game present a escape, or will it not compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the cigarette ban around Britain.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored locations where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on online can never replace the collective part 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.