A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the net version of this traditional game provide a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in popularity with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with no choice.
This entry was posted on October 22, 2025, 5:25 pm and is filed under Bingo. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.