Six hundred people last night attended a tournament dubbed the World Series of Bingo — Night of Champions.

The players came from across Windsor, Ontario, in Canada, and the neighbouring US states of Michigan and Ohio to compete.

Bosses at the venue Classic Bingo III laid on a buffet dinner, entertainment from singer Crystal Gage and a prize purse worth £25,000 including one single payout of £10,000. Playing was free.

The biggest jackpot locally is normally no more than £1,000.

Sporting Chance

A spokesman for Classic Bingo III said: “This is a night for the customer. Giving something back. You get a chance at $20,000, that’s pretty exciting.”

Players from all five bingo halls in Windsor attended the event, as well as visitors from as far away as Detroit.

“It’s the excitement of it,” Windsor player Valli Long told local newspaper, the Windsor Star. “Bingo is like my sport. It keeps you active. It’s a mental activity though, not a physical one.”