[ English ]

Much has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. However can the online version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo has been an established game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.

Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where folks enjoy smoking.

The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this familiar game?

The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no option.