Could the Anti Smoking Law in Britain Force Bingo Players On to the Net?
A lot has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the internet adaptation of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an age old game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enacting of the anti smoking law across Britain.
No more will players be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular locations where people like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet can never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the rules have left a number of bingo players with little choice.