Posted by Jace | Posted in Bingo | Posted on 21-01-2026
An abundance has been reported in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. However can the online version of this classic game offer a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent increase in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law around United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular places where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a drink and cigarette and still enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet could never replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.