The Decline of Bingo in the UK

According to the Guardian, one of the UK’s leading newspapers, more than 100 bingo halls have shut their doors forever. All this has taken place in the short span of three years. Two factors have been cited as reasons for the decline of bingo halls throughout the UK. Recently passed draconian smoking bans caused a rapid decline in attendance at bingo halls. It has been estimated that approximately 60 to 70% of bingo players’ smoke and because of provisions in the law bingo halls were not able to accommodate players who smoke.

The effects of the new smoking ban were felt almost immediately causing many bingo halls to lay off employees and stocks for companies involved in the bingo industry plummeted. Many online bingo websites saw a corresponding increase in players who formerly played bingo in land based bingo halls. Most players who smoke resent the fact that they must now go outside to smoke no matter what the weather is like and these players are the ones most likely to make the switch to online bingo.

As if the smoking ban was not enough, bingo halls now face double taxation. Bingo hall operators now have to pay a tax on profits plus a ‘value added tax’. Bingo is the only part of the gaming industry in the UK facing this double taxation.

Aside from the obvious effects, lost jobs, shuttered bingo halls, and lost revenue, there are also social consequences. Recent research that studied the effects of the loss of bingo halls in Scotland and the Midlands had on the local populations yielded some surprising results. The research found that older women, in particular, were suffering major ‘social consequences’. To quote the study, “For regular members, going out to bingo is the primary, and sometimes only, leisure activity out of the house�. For many older people the loss of valued social activities can be disastrous. The study accurately describes the motivations of those who play bingo, “While money is a key trigger to begin playing and remains an important motivation, the drive to play bingo regularly is largely orientated around a need for social interaction and belonging.�

One can easily see that the consequences of both double taxation and smoking bans are much more than financial. When local bingo halls are forced to close residents lose a valuable source for social interaction. For many older people bingo is their only leisure activity, and the sense of community is lost when halls close. Unfortunately at this time no long term studies have been done on the effects the loss of bingo halls has had on the older population. Many seniors are not tech savvy and cannot make the switch to online bingo.

The future of land based bingo in the UK is grim to say the least. Many times government policies are well intentioned but have unintended consequences. It is certain that the closing of bingo halls was not the intent of both of these policies but the results should be obvious to everyone. Only time will tell if the government in the UK realize their mistake and take measures to correct these policies.