Jenny Logan, who lives in shared accommodation, had planned to spend her winnings on a flat of her own
08:54, 18 Aug 2025Updated 09:02, 18 Aug 2025
Jenny Logan (left) pictured with grandsons Stephen and Jacob, and daughter Kenisha(Image: Submitted)
A nan was “devastated” after believing she had won more than £5,000 on Gala Bingo – only to be told hours later her winnings were the result of a technical glitch. Jenny Logan, 55, said she was elated when she thought she had landed the “life-changing” prize during an online bingo session on Monday, August 4.
But within hours, her joy turned to heartbreak as her account was suspended, her balance reset, and she was informed the pay-out had been a system error.
The former carer, who lives in shared accommodation in Birkenhead, was among thousands of players nationwide affected by the widespread glitch, which led many to falsely believe they had secured significant winnings.
Jenny, who had planned to use the money to secure her own flat after a difficult year marked by the loss of her mum, said: “I was so happy, I thought this was my chance at a fresh start. Even a one-bedroom would have been enough. I’d just get blow-up beds for the grandkids.”
Jenny, who has 10 grandchildren, moved into temporary accommodation after her mum died in October last year. She was forced to leave the two-bedroom bungalow they had shared in Pensby and now resides in a house share for vulnerable women, where visitors are not allowed due to noise complaints from neighbours.
She said the restrictions have left her feeling increasingly isolated. She said: “I haven’t seen two of my children since my mum died. And I haven’t had my grandkids round since. One of my daughters lives in Birkenhead and I try to visit her and the boys at least once a week. They’re what keep me going.”
Jenny said she had initially deposited money on the Gala Bingo app and won – and successfully withdrew – £450. Encouraged by this, she continued playing and within hours had racked up additional wins of £1,200 and then £2,000. But only hours later, she was locked out of her account and notified it had been suspended.
After contacting Gala Bingo to complain, she was informed the big pay-out had been the result of a technical error – but they “didn’t mention anything” about her not receiving her winnings, and promised to get the app back up and running so she could withdraw her funds.
“When I got back in, everything was gone – except the £450,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been fobbed off. That money was going to pay for a deposit on a little flat. Now I’m back to square one.”
Gala Bingo has since offered all affected players a £20 bingo bonus as a “gesture of goodwill.”
A Gala Bingo spokesperson said: “We apologise to customers for a technical error which occurred during our Summer Nights Bingo promotion for a short period of time, resulting in all players receiving incorrect pay-outs.
“Our customer Terms and Conditions clearly state that in the event of a malfunction, winnings can be voided. Affected players have been contacted directly with a gesture of goodwill.”
Thousands of players are believed to have been mistakenly awarded a share of the £1.6m prize pot on August 4, with some people winning up to £18,000, The Mirror reports.