Much has been stated in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However does the net version of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based kin?

Bingo has been an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law around United Kingdom.

No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke while marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where players enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?

The answer is on the internet. People are now realizing that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and still enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.

Of course gambling on on the internet will never replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.