Bingo

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An abundance has been written in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But does the internet version of this traditional game present a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo is an enduring game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.

Players will no longer be permitted to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most common locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.

The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this classic game?

The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.

Of course gambling on on the internet will never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with little option.