Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But can the online adaptation of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?

Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.

Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored places where people like to smoke.

The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t abandoned this enduring game?

The answer is online. People realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course gambling on on the web could never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.