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Might the Smoking Ban in Britain Drive Bingo Players On to the Internet?
Much has been talked in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an age old game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had experienced a recent return in appeal with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law around Britain.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored places where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.