Could the Anti Cigarette Law in Britain Drive Bingo Players On to the Internet?
Friday, 9. June 2023
Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But will the web version of this quintessential game present a escape, or will it in no way compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo has been an ancient game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had undergone a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where folks like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Players are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and still enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the internet could never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.
Posted in Bingo by Taryn