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Much has been talked in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the net variation of this classic game present a escape, or might it never compare to its land based opposite?

Bingo has been an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.

No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of '07 every public location will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common locations where players enjoy smoking.

The effects of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven't deserted this established game?

The answer is on the internet. Players realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.

Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo players with little alternative.