Bingo

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Much has been stated in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the internet version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.

No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common areas where players enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t deserted this classic game?

The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the law has left a good many bingo players with no alternative.