Smoking rates among bingo players is close to double the national average and this is the reason that companies such Gala, Mecca and Rank are saying that the numbers playing bingo are falling since the smoking ban in England. Clubs have traditionally made most of their money during breaks in the main bingo session. This is when people play table top or so called cash bingo - a faster version of the main game. Although the stakes are low, table top bingo generates significant profits - in some cases, as much as 45% of all the money taken by the club. But gambling rules dictate that this faster and potentially more expensive version of the game can only be played during the interval, which is when smokers are heading outside for a cigarette.

Mike Lowe, the general manager of Premier Bingo in Kirkcaldy states that during the interval, more than 40% of his customers leave the hall to have a cigarette outside thus resulting in a near 40% reduction of profits.

Gala Coral is the latest bingo operator has already closed a handful of its clubs after the smoking ban and new gaming laws ravaged the number of punters, forcing the industry into a major rethink of strategy. The company, which owns 169 clubs, will close the doors for good at five of its worst-performing sites this weekend. West Granton in Edinburgh, Winton in Bournemouth and Bedminster in Bristol will be among the clubs closed.Private equity-owned Gala is likely to want to sell the properties, though onerous lease arrangements may make it difficult to complete such deals.

Former bingo caller Jim Bowen from the TV Show Bulls Eye understands how much the game means to millions.

"A lot of people who play bingo are widows, people whose husbands have died or are ill, and they're carers, and they manage to get two hours away from the strain and stress and demands of domestic life."

There are thousands of people who rely on their local bingo clubs to add a bit of spice to their lives.

Big rival Mecca has adapting to a smoke free environment. It has opened the first fully electronic bingo club on the outskirts of Edinburgh where it's a goodbye to the old fashioned "eyes down" culture. Mecca hopes it will attract a new generation of younger customers.

All players have to do is tap an electronic screen when the number's are called out.And if that is too much bother the screen automatically updates itself with the correct numbers. .

Gala's chief Mr Goulden though predicts trouble in the years ahead ahead for the industry.

"We could have 200 bingo clubs closing. This could mean an enormous number of job losses and loss of amenity to local communities."

Many though also blame the rise of online bingo sites which enable players to play in the comfort of their own homes. Many sites such as Online Bingo Sleuth even offer players free cash to play with which means the cost of playing bingo is much cheaper than playing at a club.