Smoking Ban Hits Welsh Bingo Industry - 04-14-08

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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