Mecca Bingo’s Donna Thompson made one bingo player an amazing £50,000 richer at Mecca Bingo Dagenham over the bank holiday weekend.
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Mecca’s Donna Thompson gave away £50,000 last weekend
The lucky winner scooped the jackpot on Saturday night (3rd May) playing on the National Bingo Game. The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is known to be a regular customer at the venue on Dagenham Leisure Park. The fabulous £50k jackpot is triggered when a player matches all the numbers on their ticket and claims a ‘full house’ within the first 16 numbers being called.
Donna Thompson, from Mecca Bingo, who was calling the game, described what happened; “Around 300 people were playing and when the customer claimed the whole club fell silent. When I confirmed the win and prize amount, the crowd went wild! Customers were so excited they were cheering, clapping and screaming. The winner was so shocked, she just carried on playing – in fact she won more money later in the evening!”
While the winner’s reaction was reserved, Donna couldn’t be more excited for her; “I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I rang my Mum to tell her I’d given away the £50,000 jackpot. I was so happy for our winner I wanted to cry!”
Donna had been a customer at the club herself, visiting regularly since the venue opened in 1996. She had been working for an insurance broker when she decided to change careers and pick up the mic and start calling the numbers instead of dabbing them off. Three years on she’s now deputy manager at the Dagenham club and giving away the £50k has been a personal highlight.
“I love the people I meet through bingo – you can tell if it’s going to be a fun night, full of banter, by the customers who come in. All the callers have their own catchphrases and it’s such a great team – we all help each other. Our customers come out to enjoy themselves and we always have a laugh and a joke – it’s a friendly atmosphere – and we’re definitely attracting a younger crowd. In fact nearly half of our new members are under 35*, which often surprises people.”
Lynsey Clark, general manager at Mecca Bingo Dagenham, commented on the win: “We’re always thrilled for our winners but the £50k National Bingo Game jackpot is a real cause for celebration!”
To find out more about Mecca Dagenham, including sessions and upcoming events, visitwww.meccabingo.com/bingo-clubs/dagenham.
The National Bingo Game is played across the UK and offers players the chance to win Jackpot Prizes of up to £50,000 as well a club prize on every game. The National Bingo Game is played twice a day, every day, 364 days a year at all Mecca Clubs.