[ English ]

Much has been reported in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. But will the online variation of this classic game offer a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its real life kin?

Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the cigarette ban across UK.

Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?

The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a drink and smoke and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course gambling on on the internet can never replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.