Posted by Jace | Posted in Bingo | Posted on 25-12-2016
An abundance has been written in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the web variation of this classic game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an established game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law all over Britain.
No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where many people like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can bet on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the internet will never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.