Can the Smoking Ban in the UK Force Bingo Players On to the Web?
An abundance has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But will the internet adaptation of this classic game offer a lifeline, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the smoking ban all over UK.
No more will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the law has left a number of bingo players with no choice.
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