A lot has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the internet version of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo has been an established game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.

No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular areas where players like to smoke.

The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not deserted this age old game?

The answer is online. People know that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.