There have been some controversial incidents with wins in the past. Several cases have been reported where "syndicate" agreements have failed to maintain their promises on payment. There have been cases where some bingo customers share their major winnings with fellow bingo players, even when they are not present in the club. But there have also been instances where playing groups renege on their informal agreements when large prizes are won.

In addition, there has been a couple of occasions when players have been under the age of 18 when claiming the prize which made it ineligible. One such case involved Kimberley Davies who took her case to court when she was refused payment of her prize at the Mecca Bingo in Rochdale. [1] She was unsuccessful. In the event of such disputed win, clubs maintain records on winners for up to six months and the National Game can award the prize to the next fastest claim on those sessions.

One urban legend is widespread in the industry in that one girl was being presented with a cheque for several thousand pounds and was asked on stage how she was going to spend the money. She announced to a packed audience that she was going "to spend it on my eighteenth birthday next week" - which would have made her win against the rules. This story has been told as long as the National Game has been in operation, and the National Game themselves have never confirmed it happened.

Notes

  1. ^ Kimberley Davies v Mecca Bingo & National Game

 

Back | Home | Up