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Could the Anti Smoking Law in the UK Take Bingo Players On to the Web?
Much has been stated in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to help keep the businesses afloat. But does the web variation of this classic game offer a escape, or will it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban across UK.
Players will no longer be able to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on online will never replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.