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A lot has been written in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the net adaptation of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?

Bingo has been an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the introduction of the smoking ban across England and Wales.

Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where folks enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t abandoned this familiar game?

The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can gamble on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.

Of course wagering on on the internet can never replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with no choice.