Might the Smoking Ban in England Drive Bingo Players On to the Web?
A lot has been stated in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the online variation of this classic game provide a salvation, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an established game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across Britain.
No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite places where people like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the internet will never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.
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