[ English ]

Much has been stated in the papers recently about the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However can the net version of this quintessential game provide a escape, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?

Bingo has been an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the cigarette ban throughout Britain.

Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular places where players enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not deserted this familiar game?

The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course wagering on online will never replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with little choice.