Archive for July, 2008
Much has been talked in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. But does the online variation of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored locations where players enjoy smoking.
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 business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the net can never replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo players with no choice.