Bingo Tricks

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A lot has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But can the web variation of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?

Bingo is an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti smoking law all over Britain.

No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common locations where players like to smoke.

The results of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t given up on this ancient game?

The answer is online. People know that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.