Might the Cigarette Ban in England Drive Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Internet?
Much has been reported in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But will the internet version of this traditional game present a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the cigarette ban all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing online will never replace the social aspect of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with no choice.