British Smoking Ban Seriously Affects Bingo Halls

Bingo has proven to be one of the British publics favorite activity for decades, with the lasting icon of dazzlingly lit bingo halls and air thick with smoke being the first thing many people will think of when the bingo game is brought into discussion. But now, having the smoking ban put into practice across UK, many British bingo players chose the other solution – online bingo gambling. Playing in online bingo halls they can enjoy a cigar without interrupting their online bingo game.

The smoking ban started back in 2006 in Scotland when 10 bingo halls closed their business due to decreased revenue. Since then, more and more bingo hall owners are complaining that the smoking ban affects the traditional bingo playing habits and consequently their business.

In England, 9 owners of bingo halls closed their business before the smoking ban was brought into effect in July 2007, as a precaution measure. Many other club owners anticipate a similar fall in their business and 200 bingo halls are now estimated to face closure.

And the anticipation proved to be correct as recent surveys show that 63% (two million adults) of bingo players and smokers now prefer the online bingo halls. However, while land based bingo halls suffer, online bingo halls thrive. According to recent surveys the worldwide online bingo market is expected to be worth $40 million a year, a figure that could be multiplied tenfold if 1% of the land-based bingo halls will transform their business and go online.

Compared to the "glory days" of bingo in 2003/04, where bingo halls and clubs saw a 24% swell in revenue across the country, which many analysts say it will not repeat due to the smoking ban mostly, online bingo halls saw a 34% increase in sales last year. This is an action that may have to be taken by more and more land based bingo owners to combat the consequences of the smoking ban.

Giant brand names like Virgin and Yahoo! are now related with the online bingo market in the UK, visibly indicating just how much potential major companies see in online bingo.