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English ]
Much has been talked in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses afloat. However can the online version of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent comeback in popularity with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enacting of the smoking ban all over United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored places where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this age old game?
The answer is online. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on online could never replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.
