Players Left in Shock After Gala Bingo Glitch
More than 1,000 players on the online gambling site Gala Bingo found themselves in a difficult situation after a technical glitch led to unexpected results. Many believed they had won substantial sums of money, only to later discover that their winnings were not real.
The glitch caused the prize pot to increase dramatically, reaching £1.6 million instead of the intended maximum of £150. As a result, 1,188 players were left disappointed and unable to withdraw their supposed winnings. The company sent out emails to its customers explaining that the wins were due to a technical fault and that they would not be able to cash the money.
One family shared their story with the Daily Mail, revealing that they had hoped to use their winnings for a funeral for a relative. They were upset when they learned that they could not access the £9,600 they thought they had won. A Scottish couple, who wished to remain anonymous, discovered their accounts frozen and the money missing after playing online on Monday.
The woman explained that her partner had recently lost his mother and was excited about the potential winnings from a 1p game. She said they both felt as if the mother was watching over them. The couple planned to use the money for a pink-themed funeral, complete with pink kilts.
However, their excitement was short-lived. The woman mentioned that she and her partner noticed there were many winners and the jackpot was still available, which made them suspicious. Despite this, they continued to play, and the chat room host encouraged them to enjoy their winnings.
She revealed that some players were able to withdraw their money directly to their bank accounts, but others faced issues. Since the incident, her and her partner’s accounts have been frozen, and her husband’s chat room privileges were disabled because of his complaints.
As compensation, they received some money back in the form of vouchers, but they felt it was insufficient. The woman expressed frustration, stating that the situation was handled poorly, especially during such a difficult time.
Another player, Victoria Geer, a 28-year-old mother from Oxford, also experienced disappointment. She believed she had won £2,400 three times in a row but found out that the money was not real. She felt the company’s actions were sneaky and crafty, as even the chat host congratulated her and told her to spend the winnings.
Geer had hoped to use the money for her baby boy and a holiday, but now those plans are on hold. She expressed her disappointment and frustration, feeling that the company should be held accountable for the stress caused.
Susan, 64, and her daughter Beth, 31, also faced similar issues. They thought they had won almost £10,000 together, but their payment was canceled. Susan, who recently suffered a stroke, had hoped to use the money for renovations to make her cottage more accessible. However, she received only one percent of the amount they expected and a voucher, which she felt was not enough.
Beth managed to withdraw a small portion of the money before the transaction was canceled, but the rest remained frozen. She expressed her frustration and stated that she would not return to the site again, as her trust had been broken.
On the other hand, some players were lucky enough to cash in their winnings. A Manchester resident, who wished to remain anonymous, managed to withdraw £2,400 and used the money for her daughter’s holiday. She initially did not suspect anything was wrong, as she had previously withdrawn money from the site.
However, she later felt guilty knowing that not everyone was as fortunate. She struggled with the decision of whether to spend the money, fearing that the company might take it back. This experience has affected her significantly, causing her to feel uneasy about spending the winnings.
Gala Bingo has not yet provided a comment on the situation, leaving many players seeking answers and resolution. The incident has raised questions about the company’s responsibility and the need for better communication and support for affected customers.