A lot has been talked in the press not long ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the online adaptation of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?

Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent increase in appeal with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti smoking law all over England and Wales.

No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke while dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored locations where folks like to smoke.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?

The answer is online. Players are now realizing that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.