Could the Anti Cigarette Law in Britain Force Bingo Players On to the Internet?
A lot has been talked in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax cuts to help keep the businesses afloat. But does the net adaptation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an established game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban around England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players realize that they can bet on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the social part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo players with no alternative.
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