An abundance has been reported in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big aid to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However can the web version of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its real life equivalent?

Bingo is an familiar game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban across United Kingdom.

No more will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public location will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where folks enjoy smoking.

The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t deserted this established game?

The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.