Despite the recent smoking ban applied in Scotland, bingo clubs continue to increase their popularity. The reason is simple: Bingo operators agreed to slightly decrease average spending. Neil Goulden, chief executive of Gala Bingo Hall, assured that admissions to bingo clubs have been much stronger than in England after the introduction of the smoking ban, to everyone’s surprise.
Gala private company owns 27 bingo halls in Scotland and their competitors, Rank Group leisure conglomerate, owns 14. Many bingo operators were afraid of losing their frequent players during bingo sessions intervals, when they need to leave the hall and take a smoking break outside. The ban was first applied on March 26.
Interval games usually account for over 40% of bingo hall profits, which have shown a small decline in the amount spent per person. Notwithstanding, new admissions have clearly beaten the loss, so much so operators support the implementation of a total ban in England. Whether this will take place or not, has not been mentioned yet.