Much has been written in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the web version of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its real life kin?

Bingo is an age old game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the cigarette ban across UK.

No more will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public location will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored areas where folks enjoy smoking.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?

The answer is online. Gamblers realise that they can enjoy bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the collective part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little alternative.