An abundance has been stated in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit because of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the web variation of this quintessential game present a escape, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo is an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.

No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where folks enjoy smoking.

The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not forgotten this enduring game?

The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can enjoy bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.