The Mecca Bingo regular won the National Bingo Game jackpot at the Eltham branch on Tuesday, December 2, after deciding to attend an evening session just weeks before Christmas.
The top prize is awarded when a player calls “house” within the first 16 numbers of the National Bingo Game, which is played twice daily in clubs across the country, London Now reports, where the full story can be read.
Michele Axford, duty manager at Mecca Bingo Eltham, said the moment the jackpot was triggered caused a buzz across the club.
She said: “When the claim came in, the caller was shaking like a leaf because she could see on her screen that the jackpot had been triggered, but the winner had no idea just how much she had won.
“When we announced the size of the prize, the winner was speechless. Everyone started clapping and she had to go outside for some fresh air.”
Ms Axford added that once the news had sunk in, the winner was overjoyed and revealed she is planning to treat herself to a new car.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, is known as a regular customer at the Eltham Hill club.
She secured the top prize after matching all the numbers on her ticket within the first 16 calls during the National Bingo Game.
Ms Axford, who has worked in the bingo industry for 35 years, said moments like this are why she loves her job.
She said: “I just love working with people and making them smile. All the customers were so happy for our winner – the £50k National Bingo Game jackpot is a real cause for celebration.”
She also noted that the win came on one of the club’s quieter evenings.
Ms Axford said: “The winner doesn’t usually play on a Tuesday but said she had made a last-minute decision to come along to our evening session.
“Tuesday nights are one of our quieter evenings, but the win just goes to show that the National Game jackpot really can be won at any time.”
The National Bingo Game is played 364 days a year at Mecca Bingo clubs and offers players the chance to win up to £50,000, as well as a club prize on every game.
