Might the Anti Smoking Law in Britain Force Bingo Players On to the Internet?
Saturday, 28. March 2026
A lot has been talked in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But can the internet adaptation of this traditional game provide a salvation, or will it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an enduring game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across UK.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers know that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the internet can never replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.
Posted in Bingo by Taryn