A lot has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax cuts to help keep the industry alive. But does the online version of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its real life equivalent?

Bingo is an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law around Britain.

No longer will enthusiasts be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite areas where many people enjoy smoking.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this classic game?

The answer is on the net. People realise that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little option.