Might the Smoking Ban in the UK Drive Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Web?
An abundance has been talked in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the web version of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an familiar game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a weekend. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout UK.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players are now realizing that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo players with little option.
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