Can the Cigarette Ban in the United Kingdom Drive Bingo Enthusiasts Online?
Saturday, 12. December 2020
Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the online adaptation of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an classic game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law around Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where folks like to smoke.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.
Posted in Bingo by Taryn