Bingo and the Smoking Ban

by Hollie Sanders

Bingo players are being “smoked out” by the smoking ban.

The recent policy to ban smoking indoors of the bingo halls and gaming places has taken a significant toll on the bingo industry. Traditionally there were profits to be gained during breaks between bingo games, because the players would meander over to slot machines and other gaming consoles when the bingo games were not active. They would also go to these other games when bingo was getting them a little down on their luck.

However, now these players are having to go out of doors during breaks to have their smokes. These smoke breaks are limiting the number of players available for the faster version of bingo called “table top” that provides low stakes for players, and incredible profits for bingo halls.

This loss of profit has caused many bingo halls to be closed by the owners. Some say as much as 40% of the income generated has been lost to the smokers needing to leave for their nicotine fix. This is a huge blow to the industry as a whole.

Industry leaders are hoping with this unfortunate drop in profits may be counterbalanced by an influx of some younger gamers. Coupled with advertising restrictions that have been lifted, there is the dream of a new younger set of bingo fans to keep the remaining clubs alive.