Might the Anti Smoking Law in England Drive Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Web?
An abundance has been stated in the press not long ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the online adaptation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it not compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and smoke and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo players with no option.