Might the Cigarette Ban in England Take Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Internet?
Tuesday, 10. October 2023
A lot has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the web variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where many people like to smoke.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Players realize that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and smoke and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo players with little option.
Posted in Bingo by Taryn