Up until last week, if you fancied a trip to the bingo hall on a Sunday, you would have had to stand outside looking at its closed sign and wait for Monday morning to come round.
Based on previous Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) laws that date back to 1985, all forms or gambling in person (bingo halls, bookmakers etc) were not allowed to operate on Sundays or Good Friday.
Biggest Law Passed For 40 Years
In one of the biggest announcements in the betting and gaming sector in Northern Ireland for 40 years, bingo halls can now open for business on Sundays which will bring the country in line with the rest of the United Kingdom. From next year, Good Friday will also pose opportunity for halls and bookmakers to open.
Plans to ease the Sunday betting ban were interestingly bandied about for the first time back in 2003. Taking nearly twenty years to make these changes, it seems like its been a long time coming. Irish bingo lovers, we are sure are super glad that finally plans came into fruition.
Its likely that this Sunday coming, the 8th May is when we will see bingo halls opening. Likely holding special events to welcome the new crowds. Many businesses commented that the time between the law coming into force and the following Sunday was too little to be able to open last week. Most operators didn’t expect the law to be passed until the end of May. Even now, a number of large bingo hall operators, such as Boyle Bingo have yet to update their website with new Sunday opening hours. Those that have, such as halls run by The Bingo Magic Group are currently offering shorter afternoon only bingo on a Sunday.
The Anomaly Across Ireland And The UK
There was always an anomaly with the Sunday prohibition of gambling. Dating back 100’s of years for religious reasons, many simply couldn’t understand why people could access online bookmakers and bingo websites on Sundays, but couldn’t bet in person. in recent years its obviously made people think hang on…we need to move with the times here.
Critics and groups working to reduce gambling harms are naturally disappointed with this new law. Many suggesting that more focus on reducing gambling harms and addiction should have taken priority rather than providing more opportunities to gamble. Business groups on the other hand are thrilled at the new opportunity to generate more business in what is a turbulent time for business growth especially off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the new opening hours across seven days will generate over 200 jobs.
Reducing Discreet Illegal Gambling
Critics have yet to celebrate that the new opening times will significantly reduce illegal ‘down the pub’ style gambling rings that are prevalent and contributes to potentially more discreet and hidden gambling harms and criminal activity.
Alas – some bad news, even though it can feel like Christmas when playing bingo, Christmas Day bingo hall closures will still remain in place. I guess we need to dust off the bingo ball machine from the board game box and build this into Christmas Day plans once again, playing for who gets to put their feet up while others have to tidy up Christmas Dinner.