Bingo victors left in dismay as Gala retrieves £1.6m winnings
In a shocking turn of events, Gala Bingo found itself in the midst of controversy in August 2025, following a technical malfunction during their Summer Nights Bingo game. The game, which usually pays a maximum of £150, mistakenly paid out an astounding £1.6 million to over 700 players.
The glitch, which occurred on August 4, 2025, led to a wave of excitement among players, many of whom were credited with several thousand pounds. However, the joy was short-lived as Gala Bingo later voided the payouts, citing their terms and conditions.
One of the affected players was Adam Wall, a 45-year-old from North Wales, who spent around £20 on Gala Bingo and believed he had won £7,200 after three games. Wall, who had planned to use the money for his wedding, was offered 10 free spins and £50 extra in his account as a gesture of goodwill, but when he withdrew the funds, his account was suspended, and the withdrawal was cancelled.
Another affected player was Emma Wills, a mother of three, who won a runner-up prize of £920 but was later told there had been a "malfunction" and she hadn't actually won anything. Wills, who is put off playing Gala Bingo since the incident, wants to get all her winnings back.
In response to the incident, Gala Bingo has stated that there was a technical error during the Summer Nights Bingo promotion that resulted in all players receiving incorrect payouts. Players experienced a technical glitch that led them to believe they had won thousands of pounds, with screenshots showing players getting prizes of between £40 and £2,400.
The Gambling Commission is currently investigating the technical issue that occurred at Gala Bingo. Wall, like many other affected players, has contacted the Commission to complain about the issue. More than 166 people have joined a "Justice for Gala Victims" Facebook group to share their experiences.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and fairness in the gaming industry. It also highlights the potential risks and uncertainties associated with online gambling, emphasising the need for robust systems and regulations to protect players.
[1] BBC News, "Gala Bingo players left out of pocket after technical glitch", 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Gala Bingo players left thousands out of pocket after technical glitch", 2025. [3] The Mirror, "Gala Bingo players left out of pocket after technical glitch", 2025. [4] The Telegraph, "Gala Bingo voids payouts after £1.6m technical glitch", 2025.
