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English ]
An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However does the net version of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an established game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net could never replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with little choice.
