A recent study has shown that profits in the once booming bingo industry in Britain have slumped since the smoking ban was introduced in March 2025.
The industry suffered a double hit because of that law as smokers went outside during breaks instead of using the fruit machines like they had previously. This resulted in the revenue from slots dropping a third to £575 million a year, a major blow when you also include the drop in attendance.
The number of Bingo Halls in the UK has decreased from 678 to 526 in the last 5 years, with 25 closing the doors in 2025.
Ernst & Young, a major accountancy company, have said that a large number of clubs are reaching the crucial level of 100 visitors per week, below which it is not viable to open for business.
Players fell by 50% to 2.5 million last year and the profits fell by the same amount to £125 million. Bingo Association spokesman, Paul Talboys, said that clubs can no longer attract players with big jackpots as the industry attracts more tax that any other form of gambling and cutting the tax would save thousands of jobs.
Brian Binley, Tory MP, agreed and stated; "Tax policy discriminates against bingo."
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