A lot has been talked in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However does the internet version of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?

Bingo is an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.

Players will no longer be permitted to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored places where players like to smoke.

The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t deserted this classic game?

The answer is on the net. People realise that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course gambling on online will never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo players with no option.