Over 100 people win Bingo at same time in chaotic scene: ‘It was mayhem’
There was a panic at the bingo.
Footage captured the moment over 100 people won a bingo game simultaneously due to a glitch, causing bedlam to break out in the town square.
“It was mayhem. It was the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this,” one of the winners, named Osmar Saldanha, told Jam Press of the chaotic scene on July 2 during a bingo game in the coastal town of Iparana, located in the Brazilian state of Ceara.
A mind-boggling 101 bingo players simultaneously captured the top prize of BRL 1,000 ($184) after the number 49 was announced, according to reporters.
In the accompanying footage, the perplexed players can be heard yelling “bingo” at the same time, before bum-rushing the tent to claim their prize. The clip concludes with the gamers lining up to present their congruent scorecards to the tally gal.
“For me, it was very surprising,” exclaimed game organizer Mauricio Facanha. “Everyone was so excited to have won, they started screaming.”
Unfortunately, the winners were forced to share the jackpot, amounting to a paltry BRL 9.90 ($1.83) dollars each — although the organizers rounded it up to BRL 10 ($1.85), Jam Press reported.
“I have never won at bingo and when I eventually win, I have to share the prize with 100 other people!” lamented Saldanha, who ended up losing money despite his win. The unfortunate player had reportedly purchased three bingo cards for BRL 20 ($3.71) — twice what we won — for a chance at winning BRL 2,000 ($370) in cash, including BRL 1,000 ($185.3) for a full card.
Facanha said the mistake was caused by a glitch with the printer.
“I was baffled trying to understand it, but when I stopped to analyze it, I saw all the cards had the number 49,” he explained. “It was a printing error that shouldn’t have happened.”
