Adam Wall, a 45-year-old father from Deeside, North Wales, thought his luck had turned when he won £7,200 playing Gala Bingo on August 4. He planned to use the money to marry his long-term partner Samantha. However, the next day his account was closed without explanation, and the winnings were voided due to what Gala Bingo described as a 'technical error'.
Wall said he noticed 'extra bonuses' during the game, with a notification indicating 797 out of about 1,200 players were eligible for 'runners up prizes'. In three games, he won three £2,400 prizes and immediately withdrew the total. 'We went to bed that night thinking we were going to go and get married,' he said.
After his account was closed, Wall contacted Gala Bingo and was told the payouts were incorrect due to a malfunction. His account was reopened with £67, then later with just £15, along with new gambling limits. 'I don't think I've ever felt so disappointed in a long time,' he said.
A Gala Bingo spokesperson apologised for the error, stating: '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.' Hundreds of players are believed to have been affected, with some winning up to £18,000.
