Might the Smoking Ban in Britain Force Bingo Players On to the Net?
A lot has been written in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However can the internet version of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an enduring game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke while dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored locations where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realise that they can gamble on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on online can never replace the communal portion of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no option.