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Much has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the internet adaptation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based peer?

Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law all over Britain.

No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.

The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not forgotten this enduring game?

The answer is online. People realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.

Of course playing online can never replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.