JASMINE’S STORY..

JASMINE Barber was keen to go to the bingo as soon as she was old enough because her family had experienced big wins. She started going weekly from 18 with her mum’s friend Angie, then started going with her mum Sharon, 50. Three years ago, Sharon won £5000, then four weeks later another £4000. “We split the winnings and she did the house up and I went on holiday to Greece,” said Jasmine, 22, who works in retail and lives in Paisley. “I always wanted to go because my gran, who’s now 82, won £100,000 around 20 years ago and bought her house with the money.

“It was always something I wanted to go and try because I knew some people who had won.

“You don’t always win but I knew it was possible.

“I went to the bingo one afternoon just by myself before I started work and won £1000.

“It’s also very sociable and the atmosphere is really good. We know the staff really well – it’s like a wee social group.

“There’s always someone to speak to, that’s why I feel comfortable going myself. I know them all there.”

Jasmine is a regular at Mecca Bingo in Paisley and now goes with friends from work, both male and female, who initially thought it was just for older people.

She has been playing online during lockdown with her mum.

She said: “We play for 10p online for the fun of it – you don’t win much but you don’t bet much. But you don’t get the atmosphere.

“I prefer to the bingo hall and I think you’re more lucky if you go along. I’m looking forward to going back for a night out. You can get your dinner there.

“I won £750 last year. On my birthday I won £500.”