Might the Anti Cigarette Law in the United Kingdom Force Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Internet?
A lot has been written in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the web adaptation of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had undergone a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No longer will players be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the web. People realise that they can bet on bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the web will never replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
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