An abundance has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the internet version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the smoking ban all over Britain.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke while dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this classic game?
The answer is online. Players realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing online could never replace the communal portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the law has left many bingo players with little alternative.
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