Billingham bingo winner denied full prize

Sep 13 2009 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

“Now I have made a complaint and it is going to go before an independent third party.”

Lynsey has sought advice from the Gambling Commission.

The incident happened at the Top Ten at the Causeway, Billingham, earlier this year.

The Sunday Sun tried to speak to Top Ten managing director Alan Walsh but he did not return our calls or email.

A spokeswoman confirmed the Gambling Commission was involved.

But an earlier letter from Top Ten to Lynsey admitted there had been a mistake.

Regional manager Paul Cudlip told her: “Upon investigation I do accept the internal visual display board was showing an incorrect prize and was in fact displaying the expected board prize for the following evening.

“The signing of the prize winner’s document for £5000 by the member of staff is a normal duty carried out by our bingo operatives who use the visual display board to acknowledge the details to be put on these documents and is only part of the overall process of validating claims.”

Lynsey claims she was backed by a member of staff on the night who suggested to bosses that she should be paid. It is understood the member of staff has been disciplined, but bosses refused to confirm this.

Mr Cudlip went on: “With regard to the matter about a member of staff it is a matter that has been dealt with internally as decisions on a day-to-day basis need to be made by management.”

He claimed the game was announced with a £1000 prize.

Top Ten offered their apologies but said Lynsey received the right prize money.

A spokeswoman for the Gambling Commission said: “We can’t comment on individual cases.

“The Bingo and Casino Technical Requirements outlines the requirements for bingo operators to display prize information.

“All licensed operators are required to have a complaints procedure in place and if the result is still disputed after that has been followed the customer may request that an independent arbiter look at the case.”