Scottish Smoking Ban is Windfall for Online Bingo Sites

The bingo halls in Scotland have recently seen a downslide in their bingo revenues and their players' attendance in their halls after the implementation of the smoking ban which prohibits anyone from smoking in public in enclosed places. On the other hand, online bingo sites have seen a dramatic rise in their membership and an increase in revenues as a result of the smoking ban.

One of those online bingo sites who have seen a dramatic upswing in its fortune is Bingo Fabulous, a fairly new online bingo site which operates in Britain's largest online bingo network. According to its Marketing Manager, Aviva Lange, they have seen growth in their membership of over 40% in the last few months especially after the smoking ban. They have seen a definitive increase in activity from their online players who likes to play on both online and traditional bingo halls.

Five bingo halls have already folded their businesses in Scotland after the smoking ban has come into effect almost three months ago. Players were forced to obey the new law thus affecting the bingo halls' revenues as well. Mecca Bingo, which is operated by Rank also saw their revenues drop by as much as 14%, particularly in Scotland, following the smoking ban.

Bingo hall operators thought at first, when the smoking ban was first implemented, that players are only taking smoking breaks rather than spending money on the other games, such as the slot machines, thus affecting their revenues for the bingo game that night, but over the last few months, the operators for the online bingo sites have seen a dramatic rise on their players. Mainly because they can still play the game but at the same time smoke in the comfortable environment of their home.

U.K. online bingo sites are preparing for an upsurge in their membership and revenues again as the smoking ban is scheduled to be implemented in England and Wales in the summer of 2007. Aviva Lange said that they are expecting a further upsurge in their membership and their revenues with this development as online bingo sites are geared to appeal to an audience where they can enjoy playing, but at the same time stay in the comfort of their homes to smoke and play at the same time.