Much has been talked in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet version of this classic game provide a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?

Bingo is an familiar game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout United Kingdom.

No more will players be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t forgotten this established game?

The answer is on the internet. People know that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cig and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.