Can the Cigarette Ban in England Drive Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Net?
Much has been stated in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the industry alive. But will the internet variation of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an age old game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on online can never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.
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