A 60-year-old Wigan local has become the very first person in the UK to claim the new £250,000 jackpot in the National Bingo Game.
The woman’s Tuesday night catch-up with her daughter at the Wigan Club 3000 turned into a moment she’ll never forget.
“When my numbers were called, I was in total shock.
“At first, I thought it was a false call, but when I realised it wasn’t, I was absolutely stunned.”
The National Bingo Game recently updated its top prize for players who manage to call “house” within the first 14 numbers.
Voting for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially open!
Who do you think offers the best games, service, and fun? Have your say and help put your fave on the winners podium.
A Family Tradition
For this Wigan resident, bingo is a multi-generational affair.
“My mum introduced me to bingo, and now I love coming with my daughter. We love the social side of it — it gets us out of the house and gives us precious time together.
The mother and daughter celebrated with the other regulars at the club.
“I had a drink and my daughter had a coke — we just soaked up every moment celebrating with everyone in the club!”
Read More: Friday the 13th, Bingo Habits, and a £250,000 Jackpot
Plans for the Summer
The timing of the win couldn’t be better for the family. With her daughter’s wedding set for 1st August, the win means the upcoming nuptials will be an even bigger celebration than originally planned.
The winner’s “to-do” list for the prize money is focused on home and family:
- The Big Day: Helping her daughter host the wedding she’s always wanted.
- The Drive: Upgrading to a new car.
- The Garden: A complete makeover for the back garden.
- The Getaway: A well-earned holiday.
A Community Celebration
The atmosphere in the club was electric, with staff and fellow players joining in the excitement. Club manager Lisa Kinnaird noted that seeing a regular face win is a highlight for the whole team, emphasising that these moments are about the community spirit and the surprise that comes with a lucky night.
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, also shared his delight that the first-ever winner of the new quarter-of-a-million-pound prize came from a local Wigan club.
While the jackpot is a significant amount, it serves as a reminder that bingo remains, at its heart, a game of chance played for fun and social connection. For this lucky mum, it was simply the right numbers at the right time.
What is the National Bingo Game?
The National Bingo Game is Britain’s premier “linked” bingo session, connecting hundreds of clubs across the UK in a single, massive game. Launched in 1986, it allows players in local bingo halls, from major chains like Buzz and Mecca to small independents, to play for the same national jackpots simultaneously.
While you compete for a “Club Prize” against the people in your room, you’re also playing for national prizes. By calling “House” in a specific number of calls (like the new 14-number limit for the £250,000 jackpot), you win regardless of what’s happening in other clubs.
1. Where to Play
The National Bingo Game is played in hundreds of licensed bingo clubs across the UK. Think of it as a “linked” game—while you’re sitting in your local club, you’re playing alongside thousands of other players in different halls nationwide at the exact same time.
- Top Spots: Major bingo halls like Mecca Bingo and Buzz Bingo are the big players, but many independent clubs like Castle Bingo, and Apollo Bingo also participate.
- Finder: Use the “Find a Club” tool at the National Bingo site to see which venue near you is hosting the game.
2. When to Play
The game runs twice a day, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).
- Afternoon Session: Usually takes place around 2:00 PM.
- Evening Session: Usually takes place around 8:00 PM.
Whether you are looking to play the National Bingo Game, or play at the best online bingo sites, you’ll find all the information you need at WhichBingo.
Reader comments