Could the Smoking Ban in Britain Drive Bingo Players On to the Internet?
An abundance has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the internet variation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an enduring game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law across England and Wales.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common places where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net can never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little option.
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