Could the Cigarette Ban in the UK Take Bingo Players On to the Web?


A lot has been written in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the web version of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based kin?

Bingo is an established game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti smoking law around United Kingdom.

No longer will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?

The answer is on the web. Players realise that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cig and still enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with no option.

  1. No comments yet.

You must be logged in to post a comment.