Carlton Bingo, the largest bingo operator in the United Kingdom, announced its expansion plans would be delayed due to the impact of the smoking ban recently approved in Scotland.

According to Peter Perrins, managing director, the ban that is in force since 26 March, seriously affected the company’s business.

“It would take at least a year for the full impact to be assessed, everything is on hold in the meantime”, he said. “It's certainly affecting us at the moment. What we don't know is how deep the trough is and how long we've got to go in that trough.”

Last year, Carton Bingo unsuccessfully fought the approval of the ban based on the fact that almost 70 per cent of its regulars smoke. Now the company is trying to manage the situation while thinking of its future.

Last month, Mecca Bingo also announced losses since the ban entered into force.