Since last year’s smoking ban, many smokers have spent more time outdoors and less time on slot machines. According to The Mirror, income from pub machines is down £200 million during the past seven years.
"The vast majority of people who play fruit machines smoke, so the smoking ban is having a very serious impact," Keith Smith of the British Amusement Catering Trade Association told the paper.
To combat this issue, trade bosses are looking to install all-weather machines in beer gardens among other places where smokers dwell. The Mirror said the bosses are looking to also lift the pay-out limit.
The British Beer and Pub Association told The Mirror that online gambling is cutting into pubs’ profit and that it would “like to see pubs given a fighting chance.”