Much has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet adaptation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlours in place of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the cigarette ban throughout UK.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where people like to smoke.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is online. People know that they can bet on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet could never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a good many bingo players with no alternative.
March 8th, 2023
Tamara
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