Much has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the net adaptation of this classic game present a escape, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?

Bingo has been an classic game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.

No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where many people enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this age old game?

The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.