Record (land) bingo win

26.03.2008

In what is being claimed as the world's largest bingo win yet, a 38 year old cleaner from Lanarkshire, Scotland has collected a cheque for GBP 1.2 million....and is sharing her good fortune with her neighbour.

Soraya Lowell (38) from Hamilton in Lanarkshire won the National Bingo Game and its Platinum Jackpot last Sunday night, netting GBP 1 167 795. The mother-of-four has decided to give half of her winnings to Agnes O'Neill (68) her neighbour and bingo companion who was with her when she hit the jackpot.

Lowell said: "We always share whatever either of us wins and this time will be no different." An emotional O' Neill added: "I have had a rough time the last three years - I have been very ill and Soraya has cared for me which meant my husband did not have to retire early. She has been wonderful to me. What she has done for me is absolutely something else."

The win beats that of Christine Bradfield from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, who scooped GBP 1.1 million in January 2008 (see previous InfoPowa report). The Club 3000 bingo hall in the town of Coatbridge erupted when Lowell called house on the last number, 90. Players jumped up and down cheering and shouting and the party continued through the night.

Despite her win, Lowell has vowed to return to work. "It just won't sink in yet," she said. "I haven't slept at all, but I will be back at work as usual. I clean offices until 1.30am and I don't intend to give up my job."