In the United Kingdom in 2007, the government imposed a full ban on smoking in public places, including pubs, licenced premises, cafes, bingo halls and places of work. Now, among the pubs in Britain, it causes great controversy. With many publicans branding this action "the final nail in the coffin".
It is also the case, that many of the hundreds of land based bingo halls were included in this smoking ban. To anybody who frequented these halls, it was clear that many of the players enjoyed a fag while playing. The Smoking ban in Scotland came into effect earlier than the rest of the UK, and there were immediate declines in player numbers and revenue. Then the ones who did play, didn't play as much, as they were in and out going for a cigarette.
In terms of losses, it was predicted that as much as a third of the United Kingdom's bingo halls may close as a result of the trade loss from the smoking ban. Now this will of course be bad for the UK, as the largest companies such as Mecca and Gala are likely to lose about A�2 billion every year. This won't just affect the halls themselves, the business that also supply or provide services to the halls will see a decline in their business too, through lack of demand mainly.
However, since the smoking ban, companies such as Gala and Mecca have seen their business flourish in another area, and that is their online bingo arm. They know that with the fast growth of broadband technologies paired with the smoking ban, it will only help drive their online business forward. The players are free to still enjoy their game, whilst having the freedom to smoke still. It has been argued though, that some people who frequent bingo halls are of the older generation, and may not switch to online bingo. So they may decide to no longer bother with the game. Also, some have argued that the online bingo doesn't have the same appeal, in that they don't just go for the game, but to meet their friends and socialise. Over time, the online bingo rooms have listened to this and have made it more social, they have added chat rooms where people can chat and communicate with each other.
Also, some land based bingo players enjoy the arcade sections too, such as the slots hall. Well, they have factored in the demand for this online too. Most of the big companies all have a side games section, which means the players can not only enjoy a cigarette at home while playing online bingo, but they can also play at the arcades.
Now all isn't lost for the land based casinos, it is still a popular game, and a lot of non-smokers frequent them too. However, for smokers and non-smokers alike the online bingo arm is ready and waiting should people choose to switch over?
It is also the case, that many of the hundreds of land based bingo halls were included in this smoking ban. To anybody who frequented these halls, it was clear that many of the players enjoyed a fag while playing. The Smoking ban in Scotland came into effect earlier than the rest of the UK, and there were immediate declines in player numbers and revenue. Then the ones who did play, didn't play as much, as they were in and out going for a cigarette.
In terms of losses, it was predicted that as much as a third of the United Kingdom's bingo halls may close as a result of the trade loss from the smoking ban. Now this will of course be bad for the UK, as the largest companies such as Mecca and Gala are likely to lose about A�2 billion every year. This won't just affect the halls themselves, the business that also supply or provide services to the halls will see a decline in their business too, through lack of demand mainly.
However, since the smoking ban, companies such as Gala and Mecca have seen their business flourish in another area, and that is their online bingo arm. They know that with the fast growth of broadband technologies paired with the smoking ban, it will only help drive their online business forward. The players are free to still enjoy their game, whilst having the freedom to smoke still. It has been argued though, that some people who frequent bingo halls are of the older generation, and may not switch to online bingo. So they may decide to no longer bother with the game. Also, some have argued that the online bingo doesn't have the same appeal, in that they don't just go for the game, but to meet their friends and socialise. Over time, the online bingo rooms have listened to this and have made it more social, they have added chat rooms where people can chat and communicate with each other.
Also, some land based bingo players enjoy the arcade sections too, such as the slots hall. Well, they have factored in the demand for this online too. Most of the big companies all have a side games section, which means the players can not only enjoy a cigarette at home while playing online bingo, but they can also play at the arcades.
Now all isn't lost for the land based casinos, it is still a popular game, and a lot of non-smokers frequent them too. However, for smokers and non-smokers alike the online bingo arm is ready and waiting should people choose to switch over?
