Smoke signals the rise of online bingo
Free bingo online boosted by land-based clubs changesIt appears the ban on smoking may have inadvertently boosted free bingo sites such as BOGOF Bingo, if the claims of one Scottish club owner are to be believed.
Phil Thomson, manager of a bingo club in Gilmerton, Perthshire, told the Edinburgh Evening News that he has personally witnessed visitor numbers drop by more than a half since the ban, which made it illegal to light a cigarette in enclosed public places such as bingo clubs, came into force in Scotland on Sunday, March 26 2006.
"In 2006, we had about 1,500 people coming through our doors but now it is down to 700," he revealed.
"It dramatically decreased because of the smoking ban. People started playing online instead because they could have a cigarette at the same time."
Online bingo grows in popularity
Mr Thomson added that the smoking ban is part of a 'triple whammy' of causes that have led to a surge in the popularity of online bingo, including greater awareness of the online game and people's concerns over the recession.
Now it is thought the government's decision to impose a bingo tax hike could hasten the rise of online bingo further.
In his annual budget address on April 22 2009, chancellor Alistair Darling unexpectedly announced that duty on land-based bingo clubs would rise to 22 per cent.
However, duty on other gaming forms such as online bingo remains at 15 per cent - a move that could motivate more players to switch to free bingo sites such as BOGOF Bingo.
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