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An abundance has been talked in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But does the internet variation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?

Bingo has been an enduring game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the cigarette ban across United Kingdom.

Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they haven’t deserted this age old game?

The answer is online. Players realise that they can wager on bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and smoke and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left many bingo players with little alternative.