Will the Smoking Ban in Britain Drive Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Web?
Much has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. But does the web version of this classic game provide a salvation, or will it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the introduction of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers are now realizing that they can wager on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and cigarette and still enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet could never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little choice.
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