Gala Coral authorities have announced that the company will probably close twelve or thirteen of its bingo rooms provided the smoking ban that comes into effect on July 1st, has the same devastating effects it had over bingo rooms in Scotland. Gala Coral is the UK’s biggest bingo operator.

“The closures will not occur until the end of the year when I believe it will be easier to judge the conditions in the market. After that period I believe the market will begin to pick up” Neil Goulden, Chief Executive for Gala Coral said.

Since the closures will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, the company has decided not to reveal the location of the bingo clubs yet. “We will wait for six months and see where we are. We are going to get a drop in spend-per-head.” Goulden further explained.

Many bingo clubs were forced to close in Scotland due to the fall in revenues of almost 15 percent caused by punters’ reaction to the smoking ban. Mecca Bingo, the second most important bingo operator in the UK, has already informed that it will close several of its bingo halls.