A lot has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry struggling because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But does the web adaptation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based opposite?

Bingo is an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent return in popularity with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.

Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite areas where many people like to smoke.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t forgotten this enduring game?

The answer is on the web. Players know that they can participate in bingo from their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo players with no choice.