The pub industry has learned some valuable lessons since the smoking ban in Scotland came into force last year. With implementation due in England and Wales in the coming months, Inspired Gaming Group is putting in place measures to help our customers maximise the opportunities presented by this shift in legislation. It may be challenging, but it will not be without its rewards.
An important learning to take away from Scotland is that there is no right or wrong approach to the smoking ban.
Inspired Gaming Group has seen the effects of smoking bans across the globe from Australia to the US as well as in Europe. The one simple truth is that a dramatic change such as this brings opportunities for those who prepare and adapt.
To help our customers do this we have expanded our full-time smoking ban team to five experts working under Neale Deeley. They have been hard at work visiting venues and researching data to pull together a comprehensive appraisal programme based on our knowledge of how the ban will most likely affect each venue, and designed to maximise machine income.
The programme will be rolled out to Leisure Link customers in Wales later this month and across England from early June.
In addition, the team has been putting together a good housekeeping guide for machines, demonstrating the little things licensees and staff can do to make a difference.
Results of the research will be available to all pubs through an information pack and interactive DVD which will provide licensees with a wealth of information on how best to increase revenues and get the most from machines.
In Scotland we have also witnessed an influx of different types of customers coming back to pubs, many of whom will be unfamiliar with our current machine offerings.
In the main they are heavy users of today's new technologies from iPods to broadband and the pub of tomorrow will need to offer a range of high-tech services as well as fruit machines and pool tables.