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A lot has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax cuts to help keep the industry alive. However does the net variation of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar relative?

Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law across Britain.

No more will players be able to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of '07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.

The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven't abandoned this ancient game?

The answer is on the net. People realize that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.

Of course playing on the web will never replace the collective part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.