08.04
Could the Cigarette Ban in Britain Force Bingo Enthusiasts Online?
An abundance has been written in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the web variation of this quintessential game provide a escape, or will it in no way compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an age old game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t given up on this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can participate in 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 phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.