A new study in Australia reveals that annual spending on ‘pokie' slot machines in the state of Victoria, following a ban which came into force in 2002, led to a long-term revenue drop around 14 percent.

In the UK, up to 20,000 workers in Bingo halls may lose their jobs because over 600,000 players have given up the game since a smoking ban came into force in July 2007 according to press reports. "The ban has been an absolute disaster," said Steve Baldwin of the UK Bingo Association, the trade body of the licensed bingo industry in the UK, representing some 110 individual operators and 600 clubs. Removal of slot machines and a new taxes have added to the pain of UK bingo operators.

UK Casinos are faring little better it seems - Rank posted an 18 percent reduction in revenues, year-on-year for its bingo operations since September, and a 7 percent fall in casino revenues over the same period.

And several countries around the world, like some states in the USA, chose Jan 1st 2008 to roll out smoking bans in casinos and other places of entertainment. Illinois gaming operators for instance, predict the ban will cause a drop in business of about 20 percent.

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