A lot has been written in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to help keep the industry afloat. But can the internet variation of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or might it not compare to its real life equivalent?

Bingo has been an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enacting of the smoking ban throughout UK.

No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this established game?

The answer is online. People realise that they can wager on bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and fag and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course wagering on on the web will never replace the communal portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.