A lot has been stated in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the net variation of this classic game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout United Kingdom.
No longer will players be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Players know that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo players with little option.
October 13th, 2025
Tamara
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