[ English ]

An abundance has been stated in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge aid to help keep the businesses afloat. However can the internet version of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or might it not compare to its land based kin?

Bingo has been an familiar game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enacting of the smoking ban throughout UK.

No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite places where people enjoy smoking.

The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?

The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.

Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.