A lot has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the internet version of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its land based kin?

Bingo is an familiar game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the cigarette ban around UK.

Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where many people enjoy smoking.

The effects of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?

The answer is on the net. People realize that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.

Of course betting on on the net will never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no option.