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Could the Anti Cigarette Law in the UK Force Bingo Enthusiasts On to the Internet?

An abundance has been written in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However does the online variation of this quintessential game offer a salvation, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo has been an age old game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.

No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common places where many people enjoy smoking.

The results of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they have not deserted this established game?

The answer is on the web. People realise that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course wagering on on the internet will never replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.

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