Might the Anti Cigarette Law in the United Kingdom Drive Bingo Players On to the Internet?
A lot has been reported in the press recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the online variation of this classic game provide a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law around England and Wales.
No longer will players be allowed to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite places where folks enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t forgotten this age old game?
The answer is on the net. People realise that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with little alternative.