Online Bingo Wins with Smoking Ban - Friday 7th of July 2006
SCOTLAND – Leading online bingo site OnlineBingo.co.uk has learned that Scottish bingo fans hit by the smoking ban are flocking to online bingo sites so they can still smoke whilst playing.
Since the ban came into effect three months ago, five bingo halls have been forced to close in Scotland after operators saw takings drop by over a quarter as players were forced to obey no-smoking rules.
But in that time Scottish online bingo websites, like BingoScotland.com, where players can play AND smoke in their own homes have seen an astonishing 400% rise in membership.
As 'House' takes on a whole new meaning, Bingo Scotland has seen a huge surge in people playing online bingo.
Bingo Scotland spokesman Iain Beggs said: "When the smoking ban started, we didn't imagine our membership would increase so rapidly.
"But as players have the freedom to smoke when they play online bingo in the comfort of their own home, it makes sense that bingo websites have become even more popular."
Jeanette Clunie, 38, from Edinburgh is a smoking player who has just recently converted to playing online bingo.
She said: "Many of my friends now don't go to traditional bingo halls because of the smoking ban. I think online bingo is definitely on the up and through time, bingo halls will be a thing of the past.
"I personally wouldn't use bingo halls now you can't smoke in them and haven't been to one since the ban."
Premier Bingo in Denny, near Flakirk, and Rio Bingo in Kirkcaldy, Fife, are two of the five bingo halls that have been closed. They were operated by K.E. Entertainments who saw players arrive later and leave earlier to light up.
Operations manager, Mike Lowe said: "I've recorded as many as 47per cent of players leaving a session in order to smoke."
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