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Much has been stated in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the online version of this classic game present a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?

Bingo is an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent return in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law around UK.

No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.

The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t forgotten this age old game?

The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can bet on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.

Of course playing online can never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little alternative.