Bingo halls in the United Kingdom are introducing outdoor bingo areas to meet customer needs, reports the Staffordshire Sentinel News.
On July 1, 2007, cigarette butts were officially extinguished at indoor public places across the United Kingdom. According to The London Times, Gala Coral Group has closed 13 bingo clubs and four casinos since the smoking ban went into effect.
The smoking ban -- along with the global downturn -- has forced bingo hall owners to become more creative, and some believe creating a smoker-friendly bingo environment outside is the answer.
According to the Staffordshire Sentinel News, a heated shelter one hall uses hosts 32 kiosks where patrons can play bingo and also smoke. Although they can’t participate in the main bingo game, the customers will still be able to win prizes, the paper said.