Wednesday, July 05, 2006

As reported by Ireland Online: "One of the UK's biggest bingo chains today
said revenues had fallen 14% in Scotland following the introduction of a
smoking ban. "Mecca Bingo, which is owned by Rank Group, experienced a 6%
drop in admissions, while spend per head was 9% lower in the 13 weeks since
smoking was banned in public places north of the border. "...In the early
weeks of the ban in April, Mecca said it was likely players were taking
smoking breaks between games rather than spending on other attractions, such
as slot machines. "A ban on smoking in public places in England and Wales is
due in the summer of 2007. Established in 1961, Mecca was acquired by Rank
in the early 1990s and now has around five million members and 117 sites..."