The bingo hall was once a major choice for a weekend out, but in recent years attendance to bingo halls has fallen. Many UK-based bingo hall operators have reported a fall in their revenues by as much as 25% and some halls have been forced to close.

One of the reasons for this fall in attendance is the increased popularity of online bingo. Online bingo has changed the industry overnight by allowing its members to play in the comfort of their own home. However, most of the chains have moved with the times by offering potential members the opportunity to play online via their websites.

Profits have also been hit by government legislation. The government abolished value added tax on bingo halls but then raised the gambling tax from 15% to 22% in early 2009. This move has resulted in an increase in losses by bingo operators who are outraged.

Another factor which has probably had the biggest impact on bingo hall attendance is the smoking ban which came into force on 1st July 2007. Since then there has been a 60% fall in attendance, and a survey taken when the ban became official showed that over 60% of players would consider changing to online bingo.

The smoking ban, coupled with the recession, has changed our leisure habits. Due to lack of money people are now looking to home based entertainment and broadband access is becoming cheaper and more accessible. It may be that decades from now, traditional bingo halls may well be a thing of the past.