The findings of a new report show that the smoking ban in England could positively benefit online gaming sites in this country.

Commissioned by online gambling white label provider St Minver in Gibraltar, a recent research study has found there could be a business spin-off for online gambling companies in the wake of UK smoking bans in land bingo halls.

The study found that the no-smoking ban is likely to have a serious impact on land bingo, with one in ten players giving up playing in clubs altogether.

St Minver, which runs a number of Internet bingo websites, expects demand for its services will grow as the smoking ban prompts an exodus from UK clubs.

St Minver said its survey of over 3 000 bingo players showed 63 percent of respondents who smoke intend to spend more money online if the ban is introduced in July.

Only 14 percent said that they would quit smoking in order to continue playing in clubs.

Leigh Nissim, managing director of St Minver (UK) said: "From our research, it appears that land-based bingo clubs are likely to suffer in the wake of the smoking ban. Not only do players disagree with the ban, but they’re less likely to visit clubs as a result."

Bingo sites in the UK including foxybingo.com will be aiming to use the Government’s ban to their benefit with some stepping up their marketing campaigns in the weeks leading up to the introduction of the new dramatic legislation.

Once introduced to online sites its hoped players will ditch land based bingo halls altogether free in the knowledge that lighting up in front of their pcs is entirely within the player’s rights.