Might the Smoking Ban in England Drive Bingo Players On to the Net?
An abundance has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the net version of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law across UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular places where people like to smoke.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. People know that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.
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