The Bingo Association informed that almost half of Scotland’s Bingo Clubs could close due to the effects of the smoking ban, which has been in force since March. “Adapting venues to the new smoke-free laws will take time and a considerable amount of investment”, Chairman Sir Peter Fry explained.

The Association recently announced that five clubs have already closed and three more are about to close for good. “The severity and speed of impact that the industry is currently experiencing in Scotland is alarming”, Sir Fry added.

Peter Perrins, managing director of Carlton, commented that other establishments had been given the option of putting in beer gardens for smokers, a choice bingo operators were not given.

Sir Peter Fry said that the situation in Scotland represents a warning for the industry in England and Wales.