A lot has been written in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the industry alive. But can the internet adaptation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?

Bingo is an ancient game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.

No longer will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where players enjoy smoking.

The results of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t deserted this familiar game?

The answer is online. Players realise that they can bet on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and still enjoy 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 web is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo players with no option.