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An abundance has been written in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the web variation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?

Bingo is an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the introduction of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.

No longer will players be permitted to smoke while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular places where people enjoy smoking.

The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not abandoned this age old game?

The answer is on the web. Gamblers realize that they can wager on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.

Of course betting on online can never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with no choice.