24
June
Written by Gordon.
Posted in: Bingo
A lot has been written in the press not long ago about the bingo industry struggling because of the anti cigarette law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the businesses alive. However can the online adaptation of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored areas where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is online. People know that they can participate in bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a lot of bingo players with no option.
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