Might the Smoking Ban in England Drive Bingo Players On to the Web?
Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet variation of this traditional game present a escape, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an classic game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law around UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective part of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little choice.