Will the Smoking Ban in Britain Take Bingo Players Online?
by Heath on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025
A lot has been written in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to help keep the industry alive. But can the web version of this traditional game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the cigarette ban around England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beer and smoke and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.
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