A 21-year-old from Essex won £50,000 at Mecca Bingo with a paper ticket, completing a full house in the first 16 numbers.

A 21-year-old woman from Harlow, Essex, Megan Philpott, won £50,000 at Mecca Bingo after a spontaneous visit with her parents. Playing with a paper ticket, she initially thought she’d won a £234 club prize but later learned she had completed a full house within the first 16 numbers, triggering the national jackpot. The win will help her buy her first home and upgrade a trip to Bali with her sister. Her victory reflects a growing trend, as 45% of new Mecca Bingo members in the past year were under 35. The national game is played twice daily at Mecca venues across Britain and offers jackpots up to £50,000.