Could the Anti Smoking Law in the United Kingdom Force Bingo Players On to the Net?
An abundance has been talked in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to help keep the businesses alive. However will the online version of this classic game offer a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent comeback in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law across Britain.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. People realise that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the rules have left a good many bingo players with no choice.