An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a result of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the online adaptation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?

Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game lately had seen a recent return in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law around Britain.

Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where people like to smoke.

The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t deserted this age old game?

The answer is on the internet. Players know that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.

Of course betting on online can never replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little alternative.