Online Bingo to Boom

Online bingo room operators are bracing themselves for a significant increase in the number of players choosing to play bingo online rather than in traditional bingo halls. The boom in online bingo is expected because of a ban on smoking in all enclosed public areas which comes into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland over the next few months.

In Scotland the ban was introduced in March 2006, and official at the Bingo Association, which is the trade association of licensed bingo halls throughout Great Britain, said that the ban, "hit the bingo business far harder than the "worst case scenario" modelled by experts." Specifically, it was noted that bingo players arrived later, leave earlier and in many cases cease attending all together following the ban on smoking. Five clubs were closed within the first three months of the ban, and the effect on the Scottish bingo industry has been significant, with a 120% fall in business.

Wales and Northern Ireland will be the next places to introduce the ban in April 2007, followed by England in July 2007. Various petitions and campaigns have been set up to protest against the smoking ban, with appeals for exceptions to be applied to bingo clubs, but so far no exceptions have been granted.

One such campaign, led by television personality and Celebrity Fame Academy star Linda Robson, demands that the government should "Stop Destroying My Bingo!" Linda spoke about the ban earlier this month at the Gala Bingo Club in Surrey Quays, saying: "Bingo is a key part of many communities and closing clubs will have a devastating effect on community spirit nationwide. Tell me another activity where three different generations can go out together and have an equal amount of enjoyment, excitement and success.

"We have all been playing Bingo for years, we love it and look forward to meeting up with the regulars every week for a natter," Linda continued. "I see players as young as 20 to those in their late 80s having a great time together. I'm even a Bingo caller for the Hopes and Dreams charity in Essex and I know how much it means to them to get together with their friends, offering them a safe, stimulating and fun environment."

Linda is encouraging people to visit their local bingo club and protest against the smoking ban by signing a petition, but all the signs indicate that the ban will come into force as planned. Many online bingo room operators believe that this will lead a significant number of players to play bingo online instead.

Whilst a ban on smoking may disappoint traditional bingo hall players, online players could actually benefit, because more visitors to online bingo rooms would mean bigger prizes and presumably more investment in the online game itself.

And yes, if you really must, you can smoke whilst playing online.