A new bingo world record has been set after a player from Hamilton in Scotland won £1,167,795. The previous record of £1,101,686 had been set in January by a player in Merthyr Tydfil.

Soraya Lowell, who is 38 years old and works as a cleaner, was playing at the Club 3000 in Coatbridge when she scooped the National Bingo Game Platinum Jackpot on Sunday 23 March. She had been playing regularly at the club since it opened less than two years ago, and is still coming to terms with her new-found millionaire status.

“It just won’t sink in yet,” Soraya admitted after celebrating all night with her fiends and neighbours. “I haven’t slept at all but I will be back at work on Tuesday as usual.  I clean offices until 1.30a.m. and I don’t intend to give up my job. I like the girls I work with, and they have already said to me don’t pack it in.”

Soraya, who is married and has four children, called her husband from the club to tell him about her record-breaking win. “He handed the phone to our eldest daughter who heard the shouting in the background and said she is telling the truth,” Soraya said. “I have three daughters and a son aged 13, 15, 19 and 21 to help me spend it. They have all put in wee orders already; the two oldest want convertibles and don’t even have licences yet!”

Steve Baldwin, who works as Communications Manager for the National Bingo Game, is just as delighted with the win as Soraya herself. “This is our second millionaire in eight weeks,” he said. “We aim to make more winners more often at bingo and love it when they are record breaking!  We are thrilled for Soraya and look forward to presenting her with her record breaking cheque.” 

26th March 2008