Smoking in casinos is illegal. If you are caught lighting up while gaming on slots, or seen taking a drag while playing roulette, you're likely to be prosecuted and fined.
Since 2007, the United Kingdom has operated a smoking ban in all enclosed public places, including casinos and gaming venues.
In the fifteen months that the smoking ban has been in effect, the casino industry has been transformed: business in online casinos is booming while local casinos are struggling to attract customers.
In the minds of many gamers, smoking and gaming are interlinked. From images of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack smoking while playing cards, to Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr No - gently puffing on a cigarette while playing poker in a casino - smoking and casinos are closely linked.
Many players can't imagine gaming without their regular cigarette breaks; it's an important part of their gaming routine. When the smoking ban was introduced in July last year, many players decided that they did not want to play slots or roulette in casinos if it meant having to go outside every time they wanted a cigarette.
With the freedom to light up in their own homes, veteran casino gamers turned to online casinos as a way to regularly play games like slots and blackjack.
Statistics suggest that more and more gamers are heading online to play their casino games and since the smoking ban, UK casinos have seen their attendance tumble.
UK casinos face a potential exodus as more players abandon their local casino. 2007 was described by one gaming firm as a "torrid year" and the smoking ban was blamed for a wave of casino closures in Bristol, Leeds and Scotland. In contrast, online casinos saw their attendance levels skyrocket.
And while online casinos were popular before the introduction of the smoking ban, some commentators have suggested that the law actively encourages smokers to shun their local casino and play online.
Posted by Dan at 16:14 PM
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