Much has been talked in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the net variation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its real life equivalent?

Bingo has been an age old game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent return in popularity with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo halls in place of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law all over United Kingdom.

No more will enthusiasts be permitted to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite areas where many people like to smoke.

The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t abandoned this familiar game?

The answer is on the internet. People know that they can play bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.

Of course gambling on online will never replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left a lot of bingo players with little option.