Latest news with #NationalBingoGame
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leigh woman wins huge £50k jackpot after more than 20 years of bingo
A borough woman has won a huge jackpot after playing bingo for over 20 years. Elizabeth Draper, 55, from Leigh, first visited BJ's Bingo on May 2, 2003 - but never thought she would win the huge cash amount. Cheers rang out in the bingo hall at around 8pm on Sunday (July 6) as Elizabeth showed off her winning ticket in front of her daughter and close friends. The Leigh woman had just won a huge prize of £50,000 in the National Bingo Game. Elizabeth said: "I never thought it could happen, but it did! "My heart was racing and we all screamed at the top of our voices. "The atmosphere in the new lounge was electric." Andrew Tattershall, General Manager at BJ's Bingo Leigh, said the team "couldn't be prouder" of her. He said: "We couldn't be prouder to see Elizabeth's dedication rewarded. "From her very first visit in 2003 to last night's life-changing win, she embodies everything we love about our bingo community. "Huge congratulations to her and her family!" Have a story? Get in touch at Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, said: "We are thrilled for our lucky National Bingo Game £50,000 Jackpot winner at BJ's Bingo Leigh. "Clubs big and small can all win BIG on the National Bingo Game, and we love making winners every day." READ MORE: People's Postcode Lottery win for Bolton residents READ MORE: William Hill owner says UK arm impacted by tighter gambling restrictions READ MORE: Two thirds say gambling advertising is 'everywhere', charity finds You can find nearby clubs taking part in the National Bingo Game at The National Bingo Game is played under the provisions of The Gambling Act 2005 and played under National Bingo Game Players' Rules. All players must be aged 18 or over and are reminded to always gamble responsibly. To find out more information and advice visit
Edinburgh Reporter
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Scotland's Affinity for Social Gaming
There's something unmistakably warm about the soft murmur of conversation, the rattle of numbered balls, and the cry of 'house!' that echoes across Scotland's bingo halls. While the rest of the UK has seen a steady decline in traditional bingo venues, Scotland, particularly cities like Glasgow, has remained a steadfast hub for the game, with an enduring love for both its competitive thrill and community spirit. Jenny Kleeman, a respected journalist and presenter, once likened bingo in Glasgow to 'a kind of secular religion,' a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has experienced the bustling tables and vibrant camaraderie of Scottish clubs. Glasgow's deep roots in the game may explain why it's often considered the spiritual home of bingo. Paul McGlinchey, a seasoned bingo hall manager, points to the game's intergenerational appeal, with many residents living in the same neighbourhoods as their parents and grandparents, carrying on longstanding traditions. Photo by Alejandro Garay on Unsplash Despite the UK's 2007 smoking ban and changing entertainment trends leading to the closure of numerous halls, Scotland's bingo culture has shown remarkable resilience. This resilience can be attributed to the game's social significance. These venues are not just places to test one's luck; they are meeting points, where friends gather for a chat and some fun. This unique atmosphere is challenging to replicate, but online platforms are making significant strides in this direction. In recent years, digital bingo has experienced a surge in popularity, attracting a younger audience with its modern interfaces and interactive features. Several brands, which seamlessly blend physical clubs with online play, are not only breathing new life into traditional venues but also attracting a fresh wave of players. The incorporation of chat hosts and player interaction means that bingo games are now more sociable than ever, recreating the sense of community one might experience at a Friday night game in Motherwell or Partick. It seems Scottish players aren't just loyal, they're also quite lucky. Since the reopening of clubs in May, over half of the National Bingo Game's big wins have been claimed north of the border. Carlton Bingo, Scotland's largest independent bingo operator, has been at the heart of this winning streak. Just two days apart in July, two regulars at Carlton Bingo halls in Partick and Dunfermline each walked away with a £50,000 jackpot. The Partick winner, a 78-year-old great-grandmother, was playing alongside her daughter and friend when her numbers came up. She's been a devoted player for nearly six decades and fondly recalled how her love for bingo began with her sisters, both of whom she lost in recent years. Her touching story, shared through tears and laughter, captured what bingo truly means to its Scottish fans. And in Dunfermline, another long-time player was equally stunned by her win. 'You have to be in it to win it,' she said, echoing a sentiment familiar to every hopeful face scanning their card on a Saturday night. Whether online or in person, Scotland's bond with bingo is more than just about winnings; it's about belonging. And judging by recent wins and growing interest from younger generations, it's a bond that's far from fading. Like this: Like Related
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
West Midlands couple's £50k Valentines bingo date night win
Wendy was disgruntled when her husband Paul suggested bingo for their Valentine's Day date night - unaware she'd be going home having won £50,000. The 61-year-old, who visited Mecca Bingo in Wednesbury, said that while she had hoped for a more romantic night, the evening's events left her speechless. Paul suffered a stroke 13 years ago and Wendy became his full time carer, leading them to "live a life of struggle" that the couple feel they are being repaid for at long 34 years together - which was also Wendy's final winning number - they are finally able to afford their long-awaited Caribbean cruise. Wendy told BBC Radio WM she used to take her mother-in-law to play bingo every week, but had been unable to go in recent years."Bingo is in the blood", she said, "We hadn't been in such a long time but the atmosphere was absolutely lovely."I was expecting something a bit more romantic to be fair, but when I got inside I wasn't disappointed."Playing the National Bingo Game, Wendy dabbed off all the numbers on her ticket within the first 16 numbers called, triggering the jackpot. The caller came and checked Wendy's ticket, but she said they still did not know how much they had won. Speaking about the moment she was told, she said: "For the first time in my 61 years on the planet I couldn't speak - which is rare for me."It still hasn't sunk in. We're working class people, we've always worked hard, and Paul had a stroke at such a young age which was devastating. "Life was a struggle. But I feel somebody somewhere has given me luck and has repaid us somehow for being good people. I feel honoured." Still processing the win, Wendy said that she and her husband drove home from the Dudley Street club in said: "My husband and I had a real moment – he started crying, and I started shaking. "We've been through so much, and this means we can finally do the things we've always dreamed of.'Wendy and Paul said they had been saving up to go on a dream cruise in 2027, but they can now set sail much sooner than Toovey, assistant manager at Mecca Bingo, was on duty on the night of the said: "It was amazing to watch such a wonderful couple get such a big win. And it's great for customers to see that big wins really do happen!'' Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
