[ English ]

Much has been talked in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However can the online adaptation of this traditional game present a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?

Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.

No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular places where folks like to puff on cigarettes.

The results of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the business is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not abandoned this ancient game?

The answer is on the net. Players know that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course wagering on on the net can never replace the social aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.