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April 14 - Bingo has always been an enormously popular form of entertainment
in Wales, as it has been across the rest of the United Kingdom. Most of the
regular Welsh bingo fans enjoy their games at bingo halls, which for
years have offered a social spot for players to gather, meet with friends and
win some pocket money if they get lucky.
Last year, a public smoking ban came into effect in Wales and, while the
effect of the ban on the citizens' health has obviously been a blessing, (more
people than ever have decided to kick the habit ), the Welsh bingo industry has
been especially hard hit. Across the board, bingo halls are complaining that
they have lost a quarter of their regular clients.
A spokesman for a Welsh bingo company said: "Across the whole of the UK bingo
halls have seen a 25 percent drop in admission over the last year. Profits have
been hit. It started to fall after about eight to ten weeks and promotions that
have proved successful are not quite so successful anymore. Now we're looking at
new ways of promoting the business." The same spokesman went on to comment that
many bingo halls are located in buildings that are too old to provide specially
designated smoking areas for their customers, thus leading to a further drop in
numbers.
The public smoking ban has been met by mixed reactions by owners of pubs,
cafes and bingo halls. While some are appreciative of the fresh air now
available in their establishments, as well as a better smell, others are
justifiably complaining that the ban has been bad for business. As one pub owner
put it: "People don't want to have to spend money in a pub to have to sit
outside and smoke."
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