No Smoking Puts Damper on Slot Machines

With Scotland already having banned smoking in public places, and Wales and England’s bans going into place this year, many slot machine players and halls are wondering what they are going to do. The owners have to keep the slot machine players happy, but they must abide by the law. They have talked of building shelters for the smokers to stand under or bringing in portable slot machine games for the smokers, but many say that is just not enough. They say it is too cold outside and that the slot machines are just not going to be worth it.

Scotland has seen not only a 15% drop in slot machine revenue, but also five slot machine halls close since the ban was enacted. England and Wales are going to see similar drops in slot machine revenue once smokers must go outside. There will be a big sales decline since so much of the revenue comes from slot machines – and people won’t be playing as much off of impulse if they have to keep stopping to go outside to smoke.

Others are excited about the smoking ban and the impact it will have on the slot machine business. Those that didn’t want to see slot machines legalized in the first place think this is just the thing needed to drive out the industry. Others that play the slot machines say that they are looking forward to playing in a smoke free environment.

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