[ English ]

Much has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet variation of this classic game provide a reprieve, or might it not compare to its land based opposite?

Bingo has been an classic game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout United Kingdom.

No longer will players be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common locations where people enjoy smoking.

The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not forgotten this established game?

The answer is on the net. Players realise that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and cigarette and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the law has left many bingo players with little choice.