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How the Smoking Ban has Affected UK Bingo

Posted on June 11 by Bingo Surfer in bingo No Comments
Home» bingo » How the Smoking Ban has Affected UK Bingo

UK Bingo has enjoyed a short, but rich, history. In the last few years, however, many changes have been introduced to the industry, prompting speculation about what lies ahead for the future of UK Bingo. Let’s explore the current status of UK Bingo and how recent policy might affect your ability to play Bingo.

First of all, let’s establish that UK Bingo is a healthy and strong industry. It’s one of the most attended and enjoyed pastimes in the UK, with three million people playing Bingo in the UK every week. It enjoys particular popularity among women, but men are certainly a strong factor in the game as well. UK Bingo is popular in all corners of the country and with a wide range of age groups. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing leisure activities amongst 20 to 25 year old women!

If you’ve been paying attention, however, you might have noticed that the UK Bingo industry is buzzing with worried whispers. It’s been a constant presence in news headlines for the past year because of a new government policy that’s threatening to put Bingo Halls out of business: the smoking ban.

Introduced first in Wales and Northern Ireland, it became the law in England on July 1, 2007. Smoking is now illegal in enclosed spaces, which includes Bingo Halls. Unfortunately for Bingo Hall owners, more than half of Bingo players are smokers. Although most Bingo sessions last around two hours, games are played throughout, even during break times when themed games, like Speed Bingo, are popular. Now that the smoking ban is in place, players are heading outdoors during the breaks instead of staying to play the themed games. This lack of participation leaves Bingo Hall owners, who count on these game profits, in a bind.

That’s not even the worst part! Not only are players discouraged from participating in the bonus games, but some of them have allowed the smoking ban to prevent them from playing altogether! Some Bingo clubs have lost as much as 10% of their player base since the ban, and this has been one of the primary causes of the recent shut-downs of Bingo halls throughout the country.

As you can see, the smoking ban poses a serious threat to the future of UK Bingo. Not only do millions of players rely on the games as a hobby or for financial reasons, but UK Bingo is also a major industry, employing more than 20,000 people.

We encourage people to support their local Bingo Halls, but if you want to play unlimited UK Bingo, why not try playing bingo online.

By Claire Davis
Claire Davis – Online bingo expert.

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Did you know that …

... there are two types of bingo played around the world?

North America plays 75-ball bingo on a 5x5 card with the centre square usually marked 'free'. In the UK, parts of Europe, Australia and parts of South America they play a 90-ball game, marked on a 9x3 card. Both types of bingo are prominent online.

Unlike balls used in regular bingo halls, online bingo sites use a random number generator. The online bingo play works almost exactly like playing online poker or online casino games with everything being virtual. Most bingo halls also offer links to online poker and casino offerings. One notable feature of online bingo is the chat functionality that gives the opportunity to interact with other players.

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If you are going to try online bingo for the first time look for the best no deposit bingo and free bingo sites. Experience the game with the calm deriving from the awareness that you are not risking your own money, nevertheless you can win some good bucks.

Progressive jackpot bingo games offer high value cash prizes. The jackpot is accumulated over a period of time, often taken from payments made to play smaller games. Usually as each new card pattern emerges, the pattern will have a number defining the amount of calls needed to claim the Jackpot. If players obtain a Bingo in this amount of calls or less then they will win the Progressive Jackpot. But rules are different for the different online bingo halls, so check before playing.

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