There was bad news for Bingo players in the UK this week when Gala Coral revelaed its expects to close up to 13 bingo clubs in England if the smoking ban has as much effect here as it had north of the border.

About half of Scotland's 86 bingo clubs could close after the smoking ban introduced at the end of March hit the industry much harder than expected in the first three months.
Five clubs have closed already, a further three are expected to shut in the next few weeks and between 30 and 40 are at risk of closure in the long run, the Bingo Association has revealed.

Revenues at all Scottish bingo clubs have fallen as players come in for shorter periods or stop going altogether, with independent operators feeling the greatest pressure.
This bodes ill for the 700 bingo clubs in England and Wales where smoking will be banned in all public places from sometime next year.

Bingo clubs are worse affected than pubs, which have put in awnings and beer gardens to accommodate smokers (and are coping well with the Scottish ban so far), because players are not allowed to use electronic terminals outside the venue.

The trade body highlighted the loss of jobs and social facilities that will be felt severely in many local communities. The bingo industry employs some 21,000 people in the UK, including 3,500 in Scotland. Sir Peter Fry, the association's chairman, said: "The severity and speed of impact that the industry is currently experiencing in Scotland is alarming and sounding loud warning bells for the industry in England and Wales."

He said changing venues into a welcoming smoke-free environment was going to take some time and a considerable amount of investment, which would be almost impossible to achieve for many smaller clubs and would also affect the larger bingo chains.

In Birmingham Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming has urged the Government to step in and help Bingo clubs adapt to the changes.

He said: "Bingo is a traditional pastime in this country and for many people it's an important part of their social life.

"Bingo operators currently have to cope with an unfair tax regime which is threatening to throw them out of business."

“They also fear they will lose customers when the smoking ban comes into force next month.

"Bingo needs a level playing field with its competitors.

"It is a harmless social activity. You don't hear about anyone losing their life savings playing bingo.