Effects of the Smoking Ban to UK Bingo Parlors

Following the passage of a law that prohibited smoking in bingo halls in the UK, majority of bingo halls reported a dramatic decrease in revenue. Because of this, a significant number of bingo hall employees were laid-off, and bingo operators were faced with a difficult challenge to get their businesses back on track.

An estimated 60% of all bingo players are smokers, and the new law prohibits these players to light up when they are engaged in their favorite game. Some bingo operators tried to remedy their plummeting stocks by building adjacent smoking areas outside of the bingo hall while others provided extended timeouts between bingo games to allow smokers a longer time outside. The solutions helped some, but it still could not bring the healthy number of patrons that the bingo parlors used to enjoy.

One bingo operator in the UK offered a solution to the quandary though: they took it out to the seas. The new smoking ban isn't applicable at sea, and this loophole spawned the idea of holding two-day bingo cruises where smokers can light up while enjoying the game. The first run proved to be a massive hit, and now many other trips are on the pipeline.

An alternative solution for bingo enthusiasts who would still like to enjoy their cigarettes while playing is to just stay at home. The smoking ban does not extend to residences, so more and more players are exploring online bingo and many online bingo sites are thriving. Because of the competition, there is an increasing number of perks that these websites offer such as promos, sig-up bonuses, and huge deposits. It has been found out that an estimated 63% of these smokers now opt to just play online bingo instead of land-based bingo halls.

Additionally, many report that they're having more fun playing bingo at home because there is no closing time as well as a dress code. Additionally, the sense of community that bingo parlors lend is still present in online communities through chatrooms.

Many players are now looking for alternative ways to enjoy bingo in the UK. A survey has revealed that the new law banning smoking in bingo parlors is really taking its toll in the land-based bingo industry. According to a survey, 33% of the players who are smokers confessed that they will visit the bingo parlors less because of the new law passed, while 10% said that they will quit playing bingo altogether because of it.

The smoking ban in the UK was effected July 7th of 2007 and since its implementation, it has been reported that land-based bingo parlors have dropped their prize money significantly and many businesses have closed as well. Bingo halls is one of the most popular pastimes in the UK with more than three million playing the game each week, and many are saddened by the demise of local bingo parlors, as they see these places as important avenues for socialization. With the new ban in place, experts predict that one in every three bingo parlors will be facing possible closure.