The Risky World of Hardcore Bingo (Gambling Documentary) | Real Stories

Jackpot takes viewers inside the strange, compelling, sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking world of hardcore Bingo players. With their cards laid out in front of them, and their hopes and dreams riding on the next number out of the machine, these passionate players have devoted an innumerable amount of money, time, and effort to the pursuit of a game that does not require skill but rather patience, determination, and a great deal of luck. Peeling away the layers, the documentary becomes about more than Bingo - it is about the nature of luck, superstition, chance, and the human need to feel like victory is possible, even if it is always just one number away.
It is 8:45 on Sunday morning and while most of us are sleeping, 91-year-old Margaret Miller is staking out her favourite seat at a run-down Bingo Hall in one of the less desirable areas of Toronto. She has not missed a Sunday morning session in over 20 years. Margaret is one of a small group of dedicated players who show up day-after-day, week-after-week, year-after-year, religiously hoping that this will be their day….
As we leave the Bingo Hall and delve deeper into the lives of these players, we find that the personal stakes are incredibly high. For some, winning means being able to pay the bills. For many, it means being able to keep playing another day. For Margaret Miller, winning means that even at 91, winning is still possible.
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Produced by Streel Films

[@mustachioedgent]

"Hardcore" and "Bingo" are two words I could not have ever anticipated seeing in the same sentence.

[@DasUhMAZIN]

If you call out balls you get $200. You win alot of money if ya get the balls… but it’s very hard to get the balls. Baaalls

[@sirrom5155]

@@DasUhMAZIN mazin

[@DasUhMAZIN]

@@sirrom5155 that’s not how he says it, it’s “uhMAZIN!”. Sirrom, doo yoo hate whie peepoe? HE BLATT! Whudda’bow homasessuahs, yoo luh homasessuahs? Are yoo a homasessuah sirrom? You eva sucked onna dingus, sirrom? UhMAZIN!

[@TheClimb511]

I know. it's like saying Hardcore Uno or Hardcore Candy Land. I play Clue....Hardcore. I mean, I can't even...

[@RySenkari]

You've never been to the Bluey section of AO3, I take it.

[@dacypher22]

That belly dancer coming in and dancing in front of a bunch of people blankly staring and waiting for the next bingo game may be the most surreal thing I have seen all day.

[@idothings6685]

Lol when is that, must have missed it.

[@rossginn1171]

@@idothings6685 at 43:52 🤣🤣🤣

[@imGrisky]

The start was beautiful when the old lady just threw bread on the street and told it was for the birds. No birds in sight.

[@sunflowersaturday4588]

And then they sure all come alive when the announcer says to flip the cards, lol

[@bkreed27]

But most days you do see something as surreal as that?

[@setpimus]

The guy hanging up the phone on what I assume was his daughter just so that he could keep playing, and the panic and anger he felt at being interrupted, really hit me hard. Those moments are when you truly see the addiction hiding under the surface.

[@bobmcbobbington9220]

Video game addiction is even worse. Every. Single. Person that's a "gamer," plays these things in such a way that they CAN'T look away from them, CAN'T indulge in anything but their games, for hours and hours. Just try talking to them while they play. Multiple generations of zombies starting, mostly, with my own.

[@DS-qz2gu]

@@bobmcbobbington9220 Every single person, huh?

[@ShadySKWASHA]

​@@bobmcbobbington9220Way more thinking and skill, community and socialization to be had gaming. I've made acquitances all over the world and it helped me stay sober, learn how to manage teams of people better. Your just being judgemental but gaming is a much more positive form of escapism than bingo, which you can see the depression and dillusion in this doc.

[@cmen6895]

@@bobmcbobbington9220 Bud, chill.

[@pxraver5286]

@@DS-qz2gu Guessing you're not a parent.

[@millennialfalcon8958]

There is so much potential for a fictional series on the characters who come and go from the local Bingo. This was such an intriguing documentary.

[@ronmcclellan4608]

You’re so right! This has an Alexander Payne vibe to it. His movies like Nebraska, Sideways, About Schmidt

[@alZiiHardstylez]

Sounds like a great premise for a cartoon show

[@kathyschreiber9947]

Really? That would be the most boring series ever. This makes bingo look like a total snoozefest.

[@splicerbabe]

@@kathyschreiber9947 You could do a lot actually. Like the office could be boring, but that’s just a setting. So each episode could follow a story line, a flirt with the ladies, a funny lady, a person diagnosed with terminal illness, someone massively in debt and the worries their family have, a young person who feels out of place, a man who goes to cope with the recent loss of his wife, a person who preys on the elderly who gets his in the end, and tie it off with an embezzlement scheme from the owners. It ain’t gotta focus solely on the bingo.

[@drast0ne]

Same thought about poker

[@lorenfulghum2393]

lol obviously im not the only person who was halfway into this and realized "wtf am i doing listening to people tell war stories about bingo???"

[@doobie7105]

Bro I didn’t even realise till I read your comment 😂

[@Opotomuss]

Same

[@Ch23441]

Yep me too . These videos randomly show up and I’m like “hmm that could be interesting “ lol

[@kellidanielle3688]

🤣🤣🤣

[@82566]

🤣🤣🤣 too funny

[@spud8284]

Props to the makers of this documentary it's done with care and respect and doesn't set out to judge the people involved or show them in a bad light for public humiliation and condemnation. There's a sense of beauty with the people featured in this whom are all very likeable and human but all their stories are tinged with loneliness which is incredibly sad. There is a sense of a real social aspect to Bingo where people come together to participate in a shared passion and I think it brings a sense of community and belonging particularly to elderly players who may be completely isolated and alone. I really enjoyed how thoughtfully this documentary was handled.

[@peterjarnes25]

Well said! Thanks ❤

[@jadezee6316]

why shouldnt they be judged? you are doing it... what about their kids having to live with it? and cut the stuff about justification...."it brings a sense of community"..you say..but a simple look at these people sitting as far apart as they can..exposes that silly comment..plus did you listen to these people? they are there ONLY because they want to win the game.....and THAT along with their age makes this a horribly sad video...

[@jeramiecontreras5939]

@jadezee6316 most these people are well beyond the age of having their kids rely on them. They do this for something to do. Yes they want to win but having a daily activity also is a huge aspect for a lot of these people. Some people like to travel. Some like to buy nice dinners. These people play bingo. They don't deserve to be shamed for it like your saying. Some people donate tons of money to their church. Should they be shamed? Some people spend tons going to sporting events. Should they be shamed?

[@jeramiecontreras5939]

​@@jadezee6316You spend hours on KZbin. You could spend that time working more for your kids. Do people not have the right to spend their money and time in whatever way they want without being shamed?

[@DOC_951]

Yeah, let’s praise them for throwing thousands of their life savings away for their gambling addiction instead of planning for their retirement or medical bills when they get sick or need placement one day. You’re literally praising them for having a gambling addiction, this is no different than those elderly people in a casino playing video poker or slots all day throwing away their social security or retirement savings they need later so their children or our tax money have to support them. God, what a bad take.

[@theotheleo6830]

When the bald-headed guy was talking about how he was concerned someone would get so fed up from losing so much money that they'd start shooting up the place one day, I'm sure he was talking about himself. He has anger issues.

[@patriciaclark9957]

Agreed

[@timstar28]

This documentary is extremely sobering. Once day, we'll all be at the end of the line looking for one last thing to give us purpose. This hit me a lot harder than I thought it would. Especially with my parents starting to get older now.. makes ya think.

[@82nddave38]

I'm 42 and I think about exactly what you said and also about everything you just didn't feel like typing. I don't know exactly when it happened but I deeply understood my life is at least half over and what have I done other than waist so much precious time. My parent's are late 70s early 80s and hopefully have a few good years left but nobody lives forever. What makes this more difficult for me is that I used to not really want to live, I had no purpose. I ran away from my fears with drugs, alcohol, and women. To tie this story up and make a long story short I found Disc golf, I found my passion and it gave me a reason, a purpose. Find your passion and don't ever stop till you find it. We only get one chance at this thing we call life. Good luck and be safe. It's a crazy world out there, somebody outa sell tickets.

[@Ethan.s..]

@@82nddave38 I can relate, I’ve got a year on you (43). I’ve been prone to being over nostalgic or feeling like time has been flying by. I first felt it when I turned 18 and each year after that. I’m fortunate to have a daughter, that’s given me a good amount of purpose. My folks are 73 & 74.

[@chetwalther-ep9zb]

Hit me in the feels bro. We truly are all on our own trains that are headed for a cliff and there is no getting off, no telling the conductor to slow down because we want more time. Enjoy every day as much as you can

[@ikeraocksandsawsome]

If we are lucky these are the people who made it this far

[@ShadowJak]

It isn't that deep. They are old and have gambling addictions. As long as you don't let yourself get a gambling addiction, you'll be fine.

[@terrynguyen604]

Reminds me of my grandfather, he would put on his tie, cardigan, suit and beret, and wait by my car every day at 4:45pm so I can drop him off at bingo and pick him up at 8:45. He has long passed but when he would win he would throw me a $20 and wink… I miss him very much ❤

[@kevint1607]

god bless brother

[@problematic_canik]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory of your old man.

[@NHTROUTFISHERMAN]

Great Memories

[@NLLR777]

🙏🙏

[@Alex-gp4oy]

Brings a tear to my eye, god bless!

[@jbw53191]

I used to be a counselor at a treatment center for addictions in Canada. The amount of damage to families from gambling addictions was truly mind-boggling. Elderly folks would max out credit cards in all of their family members' names, secretly take out second mortgages on their children's homes and ruin the lives of their family members was something I encountered all too often.

[@Glitch-Gremlin]

If someone "Secretly took out a second Mortgage" On MY Home? i don't care if they was Gods COUSIN, there would be an UNHOLY Beat Down coming their way, and a side of Prison Time for Identity Theft.

[@chaparra71]

And SO MANY will try to deny that for the people portrayed here, bingo is an addiction. Addiction is addiction, no matter the source.

[@CoronaryArteryDisease.]

😢

[@Highland_Moo]

It’s pretty sad. Here in Scotland there’s bingo halls, bookies, casinos in the big towns and I’m glad I live in the highlands a good 5 hours away from that kind of stuff. We have a lot of alcoholic folk up here and it’s due to loneliness mostly, they’d probably gamble if there were facilities here. Gambling definitely destroys lives.

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

Wow that's just awful.

[@tiffanydegoya]

I went to bingo once with my aunt as a joke and I ended up winning $600! I was shocked and happy, I then noticed that anytime someone won they handed money to all of their “friends” at the table. My aunt then whispered to me about the “bingo etiquette,” apparently when you win you’re supposed to tip everyone. I saw an old lady win $40k that night and tipped 10K to her “friends.” I ended up leaving early because 1. I didn’t owe any of those people 2. I was actually getting dirty looks after I won and people were speaking out loud about how it’s rude to win and not tip. It was pretty wild, this was at San Manuel Casino in southern Cali on an Indian reservation.

[@lolgrant]

A masterclass in editing. I was gripped from start to finish on a banal subject matter and some very ordinary people. I never learned anything I didn't already know about bingo, gambling or the irrational pathetic faith of gamblers but I learned that happiness manifests itself in many ways.

[@curtismsh9211]

That was one of the first things that stood out to me, as well. The editing is the best of the best in this video. Such a good job.

[@JustinBrouillette]

Enjoying the editing as well. What happened to the coloring? It’s like they just left it Log

[@HocusBerlin]

i cant see happiness here..

[@lolgrant]

@@HocusBerlin All happiness is illusory anyway but they think it makes them feel happiness. QED

[@timkeyes8870]

Ultimately, this is the same as seeing the rows of zombies at slot machines in a casino. This is just presented more comfortably. They're still, in the end, being exploited based on addiction.

[@jackmiddleton2080]

And just like bingo draws it all out, they play penny slots to fill up time in the same way.

[@davidinwashington]

Bingo is a little more of a social vibe than slots, and you can stretch your money out a lot longer. The slot zombies are true junkies.

[@markdavids2511]

It gets them out the house & meeting friends. Everyone is addicted to something in some way shape or form.

[@Doors067]

​@davidminear the foods better. My local hall has a cards and cooking package it's 50 bucks you play all night get your meal included and a take home meal too. Go once a week as it's in the budget

[@raphwalker9123]

Lol the old lady "look at this I won 700 dollars, I'll spend it on bingo" 😅

[@chiefmonrovia6691]

I work in a casino. This documentary is the most accurate depiction of the environment I've ever seen. It's horrifying. It's depressing. You don't see any young people here, you don't see any happy people here, being the staff member makes it worse because you know what you're doing is wrong, but you're just as in need of money as the gamblers.

[@bibs23023]

I work at one too, and I’ll see people sit at one machine my entire shift day after day. Losing their life savings just hoping for that win. It’s definitely made me not ever want to gamble in my life

[@petrsson]

I worked in casino most of my life and as croupier before internet era you made really good money plus you were respected, but now you are just attraction for gamblers...Anyway, this sad scenario with such sad players is in old casinos, but if person is working in brand new casino,that's place where are all money for croupiers or for players...of course after several years any casino changes into place for loosers...😎

[@tokyobrandon]

they are spending money on what they enjoy, just like going to a movie. i think they look happy.

[@bassman3212]

@@tokyobrandon I agree it’s no different than wasting money on anything else in this life .

[@Sweet_Reverb]

What a brilliant documentary. You don't see the crew at all, you just see a day in the life of a few poor souls that just can't break the cycle. Makes you feel lucky.

[@davidinwashington]

Honestly I feel pretty good about the old lady - she got out of the house everyday, had her coffee, saw her friends. And she obviously had the money to burn. So good for her.

[@ddubfan]

I worked at a Bingo Hall for 4 years and it was one of the best jobs I've ever had. The customers were great, co-workers were great, and the hours were great.

[@sherrellbennett1333]

Me too! I worked in a high stakes Indian bingo in California before they went all casino. It was the most fun job ever. I was sorry to see it go away. On the dark side, I saw people lose everything, homes, cars, everything because of bingo. Sad.

[@stt5v2002]

Was that what you wanted when you were a child?

[@Shawn-wt4kh]

Yikes.

[@jemeeladams]

Me to!

[@tylerhorn3712]

There's a bingo hall I deliver to on my route. They have both a high stakes and low stakes room. They charge more for drinks in the high stakes room, but all customers need to do is walk to the general concessions area to pay the standard fee. They don't, they gotta hear the numbers and play every game.

[@pcr517]

i really REALLY wanted that guy to win and when he called "bingo" and the Doc ended, i was thrilled. great ep, thank you!

[@sethiddings7293]

Yeah me too, kinda crazy how you can get a little bit of that rush by proxy.

[@melanieford1980]

I really dont think he actually had a bingo; he still needed a number under G. I think it was just a thing for the documentary..

[@dcat33]

This documentary makes me feel like im living in a city made of bowling alleys, chuck e cheeses, happy days, old golf footage, and hometown buffets.

[@chaparra71]

That’s how ALL addictive substances make everything look. At first.

[@QuentinDude]

next-documentary-will-talk-about-peoples-addictions-to-Skeeball

[@ketaminefetishist]

there is nothing more soul crushing than seeing old gamblers.

[@beauteoussounds1156]

Old drinkers aren’t fun to see or deal with, either.

[@43troy1]

My grandmother used to take me along to Bingo when I was 5 years old. I started working in a Bingo hall when I was 15. I did it for 18 years and it was so enjoyable it didn’t seem like work. Most of the Bingo halls have been closed down since the casino’s have popped up everywhere. I’m 56 now and every once in a while my wife and I go to Bingo. It’s relaxing and brings back memories of tagging along when I was 5 with grandma

[@gmy33]

Thanks for that

[@Botman1234]

Hearty memories man good stuff

[@mergru6371]

A comment as beautifull as this documentary. Thank you

[@jackmiddleton2080]

I've wished for that. To be able to hold down a job long term because you actually like it.

[@gnarltarl1]

"Winning is laugh" - Jamaican Bingo Pimp

[@Ocelot429]

I just watched a whole documentary on people playing Bingo. I think thats a testament to the editing. Its so oddly fascinating. Edit: Spoilers for end of documentary below this line. I started to feel bad for Lee. He seems like he's been through a lot and I felt bad that he wanted to win SO bad but just couldn't seem to have luck on his side. The documentary ending with him finally getting his chance to say Bingo was absolutely perfect.

[@fauz6239]

100% agree

[@saraparker184]

spoil alert please!!!!!

[@Ocelot429]

@@saraparker184 my apologies. I’ve edited my comment to include a warning

[@Hereford1642]

I don't think it was a real bingo shout though. There was no pleasure or enthusiasm in the way he said it. I thought it was rather sad.

[@zaksaturday1693]

Feel nothing for the guy, personally. The utter delusion and narcissism in bringing christianity into bingo, thinking "Oh Father God, I know you say not to gamble, but I'm putting my faith in you to magically help me win." And he's a fool. The idea of "Oh I'm a poor guy and I have to think, so I will put my fate blindly into luck and blame everything else but myself when it does not pan out."

[@CementSeason]

I celebrate the life choices and the neutral documentary style portrayed in this wonderful film. Personally I found it deeply sad yet also inspiring. I really loved that they ended with the very kind hearted Jamaican man finally getting BINGO - that was awesome. I hope all his dreams came true!

[@CristanMeijer]

I'm sad for him that he got bingo. If he hadn't for long enough, he might have quit. Now that he has won, he can now say to himself that he can win (since he has won before) and it is likely to lead him into losing even more money.

[@haliesjewelryandcrafts]

@@CristanMeijer EXACTLY... also the thing I kept noticing about him and NO ONE else.. he was constantly watching everyone else and HOPING that they wouldn't win.. so that he could get his number first. Everyone else was focused on themselves and their own cards.. he was constantly wishing failure on everyone else.. they won lots he only once.. makes you think. Stop hoping others will LOSE in life, instead focus on yourself winning...

[@jrm2383]

As, you ruined the ending

[@branden3785]

@@jrm2383 Who the heck reads the comments BEFORE watching the video? That's on you.

[@LoveAndSnapple]

@@haliesjewelryandcrafts I thought the same thing too. He seems to be there with this hostile spirit of winning, but the lady with her little good luck Angel was blessing other people’s bingo cards so that they could win too. The husband and wife couple seem like very good-natured people and that’s probably why good fortune always came to them. That and they were working as a team of course, lol.

[@CBD_Shawarma]

I feel like a good documentary doesn't butt in too much and lets the subjects speak for themselves. This does exactly that, its so raw and relatable you feel like you've either met one of these people at some point in your life or maybe you see yourself in them. The subjects are just genuine everyday people with a shared bond over this game, yeah it might be a shared addiction but as someone whos struggled with a gambling addiction (casino games) this feels different. It fosters community and there isnt a crazy house edge, at least bingo seems like its hard to rig it as aggressively as something like 8 deck shoe 6 to 5 blackjack lol (I cant speak for if some locations offer slots, no thing as an honest one armed bandit). Being inside a local casino on a Wednesday night is almost depressing, every regular knows we have a problem if we're going by ourselves in the middle of the week. Wednesday night at bingo everyone's together and knows your name plus the room isnt dimly lit and filled with smoke. Great film all around definitely going to recommend to people and re watch it myself many times.

[@happycook6737]

$200 for bingo????!!!! 😱

[@thomasdupont7186]

"I feel like a good documentary doesn't butt in too much and lets the subjects speak for themselves. " exactly ! No voice over, no contextualization, no extensive usage of music or sounds.... A genuine docu vérité. If anyone is interested, I can recommend a legendary European series called "strip tease", it's a production from Belgium. With many strange/unusual subjects and people . Fascinating work. Really, this series has fan all over the world and from different generations (I believe it was mostly made during the 90's ).

[@CBD_Shawarma]

@@thomasdupont7186 I'll check it out, thanks for recommendation!

[@CBD_Shawarma]

@@ciararespect4296 yup! The casino I used to go to was in one of those states

[@eckavolo]

Exactly - A documentary should “document”. “Things” in life are beautiful in their own rights.

[@deenibeeniable]

"hardcore" "bingo." Those are two words I never expected to see in the same sentence.

[@msvisualize]

You win , you lose. No skill .Only lady luck. It can frustrate you were you will feel the toxins come into your body. Average games of 15. Only 15 wins, and at times multiple bingo you split the pot. People have gone broke playing bingo.

[@northbearNL]

The clock ticking at the start with the fast moving pase of her going to the bingo hall is such excelent film making. Making you feel like time is running out or going by fast and she's making the best of it.

[@HackingDutchman]

This is like living decades ago. The colours, interiour, clothing, people and technology. Amazing that such a place can still exist, wonderful.

[@mistermist634]

Its a documentary from around 2000 actually

[@haydenbaker1313]

@@mistermist634 no it’s not ….

[@saintbeesechurger2800]

@@mistermist634 it’s from 2010 you can look it up Streel Films “Jackpot”

[@tartertime89]

Watching this documentary in a bingo hall in Britain while my partner plays.

[@BloodSoilandSoul]

James Jolley that's awesome 😂😂😂😂

[@taylornezovich7552]

Da Fuq you spilling??

[@Tubepoacher]

Ethano wow stfuuuuu

[@supergrahamg]

you sound angry, confused and deluded. Pipe down and get some professional advice. Humans beings have vices; this one is comparatively innocuous; get a sense of perspective, grow up and stop judging others....really...sanest advice you will ever receive and it is free of charge.

[@tomg5187]

Lol!

[@jengordon7246]

Worked at a bingo for 30 years. I loved it. But in some ways it is sad to see people spend so much money chasing a dream.

[@TheRattyBiker]

That was utterly fascinating - I started watching thinking it was somehow a kind of ironically funny title... But finished watching thinking I could absolutely believe that if I was there I would have probably fallen into that trap! 10 out of 10 documentary.

[@CatsMeowPaw]

I have never had an interest in bingo, but this documentary held my attention beginning to end. The editing is superb. The music is absolutely perfect. I cannot describe why it's so good. As a former gambler, I have seen all the justifications and false reasoning the main characters display and deeply believe. Just one more game. My lucky numbers didn't come in. I didn't have my lucky totem today.

[@hennerzz3460]

I think the magic of a documentary like this is that, through a seemingly mundane subject we are granted a window, a view of almost a sublimation of human nature ; i find it fascinating because to me it throws into sharp relief both the vitality and the absurdity of human existence - all in an activity that on the face of it is fairly banal. :)

[@livelife7440]

Never played but I fall asleep to this documentary almost every night. Its just so relaxing to listen to in the background.

[@MrCharlesWidmore]

I’m the same with George Knapp documentaries on the Skinwalker Ranch 😃

[@chgr4674]

For me it’s a German documentary about cheapskates.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

😅

[@benthread]

What???😂

[@lolgrant]

And you dabbed a full house, yelled BINGO! and woke yourself up in a sweat

[@SADD22]

In Bingo, You got the early bird, the table savers, the trash bin snatchers, the fifty baggers, the nosey group, the crying pardons, the bad callers, the smokers, the parton's with 50 plus dubbers and lucky charms taking up the whole table, and the sore losses, but bingo is fun winning.

[@thomasredden4263]

The only thing that bothers me about this is the same thing that bothered me when I worked at a gas station and sold lotto tickets. People always remember what they win, but they never seem to remember what they spend to win, that job killed and desire to gamble as I would see people spend 500$ a week on lotto tickets to maybe win 200$, and they always tell you, “Oh I won 200$ this week!” not realizing or not caring idk which, that they are actually down 300$, and I had people who spent way more than that a week, and even when they win they just spend those winnings immediately on more tickets, so even the winnings get pissed away. If you saved that 500$ a week instead of spending it on tickets you would be able to save 24k a year, but people yearn for instant gratification and watching something slowly build month on month, year on year isn’t satiating. Just save your money man, the house always has and always will win.

[@sidstovell2177]

30 years ago I bought a scratch card at a gas station and won $2500, which was a lot then. And as happy as I was, all I could think of was what I would have won if I'd got all six numbers. Never mind, it helped me towards my retirement goal. Best wishes to you and all.

[@kisuke6517]

amen

[@davidinwashington]

I have a buddy who literally orders 200 ticket packs of scratch tickets straight from the LOTTO office and manages to lose horribly just about every time. But man, when he gets a decent win, he is on cloud 9. For a day.

[@nancy92792]

I've been playing bingo since I was 18 because my mom, aunts, and grandma all went and played. It's true when they say winning is such an adrenaline rush, I think because this is 100% a game of chance. No skill is involved (other than being fast enough to mark the numbers without missing any) so when you win, you feel a different sense of accomplishment. I think that ties in with a lot of older people playing because naturally as you age, you lose control over various things in life that you used to have control over. Bingo gives you a sense of control that out of everyone, you somehow were able to win. I don't know, it's sweet to see the ladies win and get excited

[@hennerzz3460]

.....aww :)

[@earpig]

Excellent opening scene! Kudos to filmmakers for making that moment build in suspense and hooking the viewer to each of the stories from the very beginning. I’m enjoying it very much thanks!

[@bcsolorza]

I absolutely loved this. I wish it was an entire season

[@oliverowens9186]

Love the 2001-2002 documentaries. The old guys are so interesting and well-spoken I could listen to them all day.

[@SECONDQUEST]

What?

[@tjCooper88]

​@@SECONDQUESTwhat was so hard for you to understand?

[@chuckrhodes3217]

@bebop355 what?

[@Marco-wz3ff]

This documentary is from 2009

[@dewilew2137]

Old people are interesting no matter the year.

[@XxShadowGTxX]

35:00 "Or they're eating Kraft dinner instead of giving them something.. and Kraft dinner is good for you, by the way" I just chuckled at that part 😂😂

[@Nonayabizness360]

I used to take my 82 year old Nana to Bingo but she would spend as little as possible lol she worked hard her whole life and saved every single penny she ever made so her children could fight over it when she died. It broke my heart watching them never visit her and she still made excuses for them ! Spend your money and enjoy your life , don't leave them a damn dime of your hard earned money . Life is way to short not to enjoy it so they can get a free ride off of your hard work and never learn those valuable lessons. Money is not everything !!! I miss you Nana.

[@danniellemichelle91]

People that get money fast, lose it faster. Nana will still be teaching them a lesson. She will never be a free ride, the best ride they got was when she was alive. She proved her point. She knew what she was doing. God bless her because that’s a hard lesson to teach your teach you love.

[@sexytrinny52]

No LIES DETECTED

[@AlktrazONE]

This documentary is so nicely made, Good Job guys!

[@RaizFutebolTube]

I should be studying for an entrance exam but instead I'm watching a documentary about bingo. Wtf did I do wrong??

[@ladytosha15]

😂😂😂

[@DK_Son]

I went on a trip round the world in 2016. In early 2017 I was in the UK and a family took me to Bingo. I won a thousand pounds clean. Really enjoyed it. It's huge in the UK. Young people go out drinking and playing Bingo too. It's not just for oldies.

[@jackmiddleton2080]

I guess at the end of the day it is gambling so anyone that wants to gamble can enjoy it. I suppose young people often just want to get to the point. Better to just pull a slot machine lever and have it done.

[@spoookyspencer]

I love the really old lady, shes totally honest about her problem and I truly believe her that without bingo she would die. Her life is effectively already over and she knows it, so she is spending her final days doing something that makes her happy. It gives her community and purpose when she needs it most. She is likely no longer alive today. For everyone else though it is a serious problem that they must quit.

[@garudastan]

With respect, do you think most of the people in the video are in trouble. Some, yes for sure could not afford what the,lost each day and month. I felt most saw it as entertainment. Please let me know what you think

[@spoookyspencer]

@@garudastan absolutely they are in trouble. They have a serious addiction and are gambling away their savings and retirement. Thats like saying heroin users just do it for entertainment. My viewpoint about the old woman would be the same if you substituted heroin for bingo, its her final days, she may as well die doing what makes her happy. Everone else needs to quit.

[@bazzer2828]

don't be so judgmental, it's their money and they spend it on something they enjoy and gets them out the house, they don't buy 1000 dollar phones or 500 dollar games consoles or take holidays. They pay their rent and bills and go to work so don't sit there saying they should quit something that makes them happy.

[@spoookyspencer]

@@bazzer2828 I dont think we watched the same documentary. These people arent having fun, theyre gambling addicts. They cant stop. They say that its just a game and that its their hobby, but thats just how they cope.

[@MaximusMerideus]

@@spoookyspencer Spencer, you got it all wrong. Most these people are doing something they enjoy with a like minded community around them. They are hurting nobody and they are spending their hard earned money on their enjoyment. What would you have them do? Sit at home and save every penny till they die so no enjoyment comes their way? There is not a lot for these folks to do it rural Canada and sitting at home, never leaving the house is a terrible quality of life. You do you with your money and I won't mandate what is and is not good for you and you don't mandate what other good people do with their money and time.

[@Lisa1111]

Gambling to get your gambling money. Now that's deep.

[@vladimator1842]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL🤣🤣🤣👌

[@troykaz9037]

I see 11:11 in synchronicity all the time. Age of aquarius crazy awakenings commin. Random.. i know

[@beauteoussounds1156]

So meta.

[@_Dolichenus]

It's nice to see little documentaries like this every now and then.

[@oldbrokenhands]

Something relaxing about this, never thought I'd be pleased watching a 45 minute Bingo documentary. Now if only I could find a good bowling documentary, that'd be therapeutic and nostalgic.

[@hennerzz3460]

if you havent watched it i recommend hands on a hard body - a doc about a competition to win a truck. Same feel as this doc. different tempo but it captures a similar vibe.

[@HUNTERS_CRACKPIPE]

I feel bad for the elderly who are looking for that dopamine hit that they don't get from loved ones and personal relationships. Heart breaking. 😢

[@jackmiddleton2080]

I am sure a lot of them had it coming. After all they're throwing away money to feel self glory.

[@hennerzz3460]

@@jackmiddleton2080 lol tough but probably fair :)

[@laurenjones8080]

I loved this documentary, I think for some it’s a way to not be so lonely which is kind of sad but they aren’t hurting anyone and enjoying themselves for the most part.

[@thebeasters]

Feels lonely in there but maybe it's just cuz they're serious, definitely better than rotting away in your house

[@yvette3278]

They are hurting themselves when they lose the ability to pay their bills and have to live on the streets. Seen this too often

[@MrSk8ingrules]

Yes me too I agree, it’s a way not to be so lonely and they don’t hurt anyone else, let them keep sticking a needle in their arm and doing heroin.

[@LauraForrester]

It is very sobering to see these lovely older people essentially fooling themselves into believing that they don’t have a gambling problem when they clearly do. The makers of this have made an incredibly sensitive yet brutal documentary showing how easy it is to delude ourselves

[@BlasianBobbi215]

My brother had a scratch off addiction for a couple of years. Any little money he got, whether it was pay checks or donating plasma, most of it went to scratch off tickets. His addiction started not because he won. He was buying something from the gas station and saw a scratch off that looked interesting to him. He, for whatever reason, got out of the line, I don’t know if he got distracted or whatever. He just got out of the line. When he went back in it, the woman in front of him bought the ticket he was initially going to purchase. It was a $5,000 ticket. That sent him on a downward spiral.

[@itzamia]

@LauraForrester BINGO!

[@LauraForrester]

@@BlasianBobbi215I hope he is doing better now.

[@davidinwashington]

The old lady called herself an addict. She knew herself. She went to play bingo but you have to imagine the social connections at the hall meant a lot to her. If she had the money to burn, it's hard to say she was wrong to spend it on bingo.

[@breathoffreshair7314]

The old carribean guys are such a throwback . You often see them here in the uk in betting shops. In their full suits looking suave. Respect.

[@frallan521]

Had no idea money was a big factor in Bingo. Thought it was totally recreational for seniors. The more you know!

[@brandrider21]

in some places that's just what it is.. but there are places that gamble.. if you're in a gambling state more often than not there's gambling involved.. otherwise it's just a way to pass the time

[@billie-jv5ll]

My mother plays bingo. For us, it more like gifts

[@beth-bi9yv]

This made me kind of sad.....there's something both desperate and lonely within these people.

[@threethrushes]

When they die, they will go to the big Bingo hall in the sky, where a lucky Chinese cat will welcome them through the pearly gates.

[@anniefannycharles9951]

Actually they arent. They are concentrating.

[@mattdajedi]

Theres nothing sad about playing Bingo. There are a few different personalities at the hall tho. I see old people, young couples, people by themselves, and kids theres having fun. Personally I go for fun, its exillerating when you get close to Bingo but then someone else calls out bingo. Its also fun when you go with a group of people and someone in your group wins Bingo. In that case my moms Aunt won 3 times in one night and won over 1500 dollars.

[@tordoff80]

why its fun for them just same as young people clubbing etc

[@randysmith7045]

agree. i see it too. I feel sorry for them.

[@nbaoldgirl]

I looove these simple yet profound human interest docs.

[@s.v.2796]

My sister-in-law used to play bingo. I went with her a couple of times. It was fun but what struck me most was the sense of community and support. This was years ago, before covid. My sister-in-law died from cancer. I hope the people are still playing.

[@s.v.2796]

@bigwhite21 I started crying when I read your comment. Thank you for taking the time to say that. 💖

[@debbieomi]

I work at a senior center that hosts jackpot bingo on Wednesday evenings. There are so many friendships formed there. I've only played about two years, missing maybe a dozen Wednesdays. In that time, we've seen lots of folks through illness, surgeries, losses, good and bad times, and we've lost more than I am willing to accept. We send cards and flowers, make a meal, offer an ear or hug, whatever is needed. I have my bingo partners, and we sit together every week. We are the Debs and Jeans, two of each. We chitty chat before and between games. We go out for lunch or dinner, go to a movie, or to a community event at least once a month. The Jeans are in their 80s while I'm 59, and the other Deb is 62. We are all single women with full lives, and we've brought each other into our lives, and I love it. There are lots of stories like this just in our little bingo community.

[@laraoneal7284]

I can see where ppl could get addicted to even just the atmosphere. I’ve purposely stayed away from gambling bc I have an addictive personality. What saves me from gambling is I just don’t like spending money and seeing nothing for it.

[@daisy8284]

Most of them honestly seem like very nice people. If they’re not harming anyone and they’re entertaining themselves, who cares. The only people who I have an issue with are people who gamble away the family’s food money and things like that.

[@ericpetersen8155]

Daisy you are looking at them. We call them “Degens” in Vegas, short for degenerate gamblers. They rationalize their losses and seem normal. Sick people.

[@billiedoll4560]

maybe they are not eating they are spending thier money on this ALL their money maybe but they are adults and si they can do what they want

[@ericpetersen8155]

Billie Doll - yes that’s true, however it goes deeper than that. They cause harm to their loved ones and become a liability to everyone around them. Their problem effects everyone in their lives. I lived in Vegas 25 years and seen it many times to many families & it happened to me once. Ex girl blew $4M gambling over a 10 year period. Her kids (now grown) still feel bad for her, they want to help but giving $ to a gambler is like giving dope to a dope addict.

[@Ninnoa]

But that is most gamblers.

[@Beanmachine91]

still, its funny watching people tilt in a game of texas holdem lol

[@DustinPlatt]

My grandma had Bingo gangs when she was alive. They'd walk in like 6-8 deep, buy like 30 cards each for each round, two markers in everyone's hand. Bucks and pull tabs on the way out.

[@BolinFoto]

The old woman Margaret Miller is so like my mother, the same spirit and the same love for Bingo. Sometimes I go with my mother to Bingo and all the other old people are soo jealous of her for having one of her kids playing with her. She loves that, so if you have parents playing Bingo then go with them and make them shine for a while :D

[@adoe2305]

You can join your parents in any of their hobbies.

[@0TheJigsawKiller0]

this is so sweet

[@DeanandLisa1803]

@@adoe2305 mine are nudists 😮🤣

[@sotoexisa1129]

i thought they were in the US but noticed the Canadian money --- great documentary

[@fmcevoy1]

I checked the website. All but two locations are in Canada.

[@beaupoopoo256]

You didn’t catch the y’know?

[@georginacat7667]

Beau Poopoo or the aye..

[@kingjames4886]

I was pretty sure it was canada when they mentioned going to timmies...

[@pendejo6466]

Looked like pesos to me.

[@garrycowan4394]

For some strange reason I never really considered bingo players as gamblers but damn they definitely are

[@angelaame6148]

Same! This documentary made me see it differently, it definitely is gambling... But not as evil as the casino's lol...

[@ladytosha15]

@@angelaame6148idk I’ve neva played but it seem like I see all the frustrations the casino players experience

[@JMarieThesisPodcast]

as an aspiring documentary film creator this has to be one if not the most beautiful doc i have seen yet!! ❤ it was emotional, i didnt want to look away... an essence was captured that we the viewers felt, well at least i did! i teared up a bit i have to be honest. GREAT WORK!!

[@nathanbrite7125]

It makes me so sad to see people who got nothing left in life gamble it away with bingo. Makes me realize that someday I may lose the people I care about from old age and I will need something to fill that void.

[@kristinjohnson2698]

My aunt was hooked on this crap! Lost all her money! It is just GAMBLING!

[@dacypher22]

Yeah it is so weird that for some reason they can run it in states that don't allow gambling, like Texas. I know here there are laws that it has to be connected to a church and so much of the winnings have to go towards charity. For some reason that makes it....okay? But they wouldn't allow you to do the same thing with slot machines or blackjack tables even though it is the same thing.

[@mattdajedi]

yea unfortunately this is like any other gambling scheme such as the lottery and casino.

[@virnan]

My father won a car at Lucky Horseshoe Bingo on Christmas Eve 1985.

[@tristantully5029]

man, I was really rooting for the Jamaican man. Eye-opening doc on how Bingo is just a form of gambling addiction for some

[@AnonP2X3YZ]

This gives off MEGA liminal space vibes the entire video. It's almost scifi-esc in it's setting, like some strange alternate world where people are locked into a never ending bingo game until they die of old age. It's hard to describe, I was glued to the screen the entire 47 minutes somehow. I almost feel like you could make a Breaking Bad styled show with these characters and setting or something.

[@Stigmezz]

you zoomers are weird

[@Tube57141]

Wow that was a truly amazing comment and I sorta felt the same watching it

[@lukebattersby9179]

There are some bingo scenes in the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJqTf36OicSrd5osi=GpV78ay2g3lJ6-Ic

[@hennerzz3460]

perfectly articulated what makes this documentary so awesomely fascinating , well done! :)

[@Want2SurfNow]

Definitely wasn't sure what to expect when this popped up. It was a pleasant surprise. No judgment or casting a bad light on anyone, just people finding ways to spend their time.... The worst part of it is that now I am annoyed that there's no big bingo hall around me to go play! Lol

[@sfdko3291]

This gives me some Better Call Saul type of vibes

[@cheapy2006]

SergioTov Me too. All I could think of was the time Irene won, and Jimmy had turned everyone against her. Great show. Great documentary.

[@milkfartss]

omg...yesssss

[@bobbyberetta4206]

“B-6, Lucky B-6, just like the vitamin” -Jimmy McGill

[@Lunchladydoyle]

I appreciate the respectful way this was made. A dear family member gambled their way out of their home because of a high stakes bingo and scratcher addiction. They would easy spend $50-75 a day on scratchers and then hit the casino for $300 dollar a game bingo. Sure they hit jackpots worth $4-5,000 a maybe once or twice a year or hit a lucky scratcher for a couple hundred. Too bad it didn’t begin to cover what was being spent. They’re still trying to borrow money off friends and family so they can “ win a big one “ and get caught up. I gambled twice at casinos. Made around $150 In winnings both times took my money and left. I’m one of the lucky ones that didn’t get hooked.

[@ItzLikeWhaa]

The cinematography of this documentary is beautiful. As someone who loves gambling as a form of entertainment, this was a very enjoyable watch. However, I feel bad for the people that come here with the hopes of making money in the long term. There’s no chance of that being a reality

[@HanifBarnwell]

So raw, So Canadian - thanks for this documentary!

[@paulgonzalezcooks]

The lady going from church to bingo is my kind of lady.

[@carlmorgan8452]

What a foot on both sides. Be content with little and much, praise God.

[@ot7stan207]

The introduction , the few minutes is a masterpiece with the narration, the building tension, the music, the scenes between the people and the board.

[@asdfreii]

I really appreciate the honesty and vulnerability of these people.

[@ajcerenzie4844]

Did I really just watch a 45:00 doc on BINGO...fml

[@wops8447]

😂😂

[@jimsmith1856]

Whoever made this is deserves an award.

[@juniorfio1196]

Yes, because you are looking for that number you need for the $30,000 jackpot

[@cat-alina8139]

I was just expecting get the fricking 25 too

[@texasguy5377]

this makes me want to get drunk and get down on some bingo.

[@steveo1574]

it's crazy how this is in 2009 and the technology seems so dated with the TV's and Phones and Cars.

[@arturocevallossoto5203]

I remember phones and TVs were in transition to smartphones and LCDs at exactly that time. Cars ... well, people who gamble don't have the best cars.

[@Trav81888]

This was one of the best edited and well put together docs I’ve seen in some time. Amazing.

[@mawathere]

OMG I started playing bingo at the age of 20 and have not played in the last year since my Mother passed. It was so much fun for us and miss it. It was stressful and very addicting.

[@Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm666]

As someone who grew up in the bingo hall, and works there, I love seeing this, the people in the documentary are just like the people at my job, I love it

[@DailyBible365]

Hiya.. do the staff also get to play bingo 😊 recently started playing and the staff do wonderful job

[@Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm666]

@@DailyBible365 unfortunately no workers don’t get to play while at work, or play at the hall they work for. Hopefully you enjoy yourself and win big money!

[@lillustpotion]

My 80 year old grandma is a hardcore gambler. She gets so low when she doesn’t win for a while but when she does she’s like a different person she’s so happy. She never borrows from anyone and is blowingggg through my aunts and uncles inheritance but she’s somewhere safe, warm, she has hot food and a group of friends while she’s there. Who are we to say how she spends the rest of her days? She’s lonely and going to die far away from home. Thanks for being respectful. ❤

[@josephmother2659]

You don’t have to endorse or respect them but you do have to acknowledge people’s wishes for themselves, and be aware of the consequences in the worst case scenario.

[@jackmiddleton2080]

@@josephmother2659 The wide eyed last whisper of the dying westerner: "Me..."

[@darrengordon-hill]

"Blowing through my aunt's inheritance" Pretty sure you mean SPENDING HER OWN MONEY!

[@lillustpotion]

@@darrengordon-hill Agreed. I hope she spends every last penny of HER money out of spite. LOL.

[@HandFromCoffin]

Google is like "you will like this, watch it" I'm like "I will watch this, I like this" I gotta say I hope I'm as chipper and getting around like the lady in the beginning when I'm her age. 3rd edit. who ever made and edited this is under rated. You told a great story here.

[@shaunofthedead5059]

Awwwww he got his bingo! At the end bless him.. made my day that did 😂❤

[@oh_my_science]

Same; I audibly cheered.

[@kathleencernetich6243]

I give that woman much credit she gets out and does something with her day rather than sit and stare out a window like most elderly people do she's going to bingo win or lose she's getting out for a while

[@deposrentals1143]

Agree! She’s living

[@andrewcruz1931]

You say that as if old people who just chill and watch tv are losers .

[@annoyingbstard9407]

😂 I pity you if that’s what you’ve got planned for your future.

[@KadaverKomplex]

Absolutely delusional

[@notrend_]

Never thought at 3am id watch a 47 minute documentary of bingo. Great editing great job whoever made this

[@Beanmachine91]

a game requiring no skill can be good social fun lol

[@pjaye3717]

i love seeing old people happy.

[@flavoracid]

I like how pops is telling me if I go out to dinner and a movie with my mates or my wife I'm "a loser" because when he goes and plays he can win. Yet, laughably, he never recognizes the possibility he won't win and won't be up. Yeah pops, I'm a loser going out for a night of entertainment while you spend every day in the same fluorescent hellhole losing money, stamping a comically large marker onto paper sheets.

[@picknick21]

Indeed. And seeing a world class movie is not worth it? Plus, like that's the only thing one can do except being addicted to bingo. He's surely lost more money than won, and has just been sitting there doing the same old thing getting older and fatter.

[@TerryT324]

Your wives are probably cheating on you. Most of you will be divorced in 5 years. Enjoy your 200 dinner tab.

[@-_39]

props to whoever made this one of the best documenties I've seen in a while

[@NathansWargames]

I worked for a large bingo company in the UK ( Gala Bingo) for about 2 years, there was always regulars and it was always packed. it seems like the people in Canada are much more reserved about losing compared to here.

[@wispa1a]

All club 3000 in Wales now. I loved gala , fed and entertainment for £10 and possibly taking home cash.

[@noloking]

I actually know someone who works for this company and it can be a fun environment Of course there are people with addiction issues, but it isn't the vast majority of them Nice to see a documentary highlighting the company's past because it is currently going through a major transformation

[@coreymacgregor176]

What a great honest documentary, I love every character and you never hear the person doing the documentary. Really this is one of the best documentary’s I have ever seen. I have never played bingo either. My favorite line was “Kraft dinner is good for you by the way” lol a true American.

[@kkrb1212]

Zero idea why I watched a doc on bingo but here we are and pleasantly surprised lol

[@LVJ2002]

Same 😂

[@americanpurge]

I'm so addicted I sit at home and dab my dog when I can't play. Gotta keep my skills sharp with a moving target.

[@iggymorts7086]

Don’t tell me his name is Spot😁

[@georginacat7667]

Real stories. You really do upload some great stuff. Thankyou!

[@TomBrady-ce9md]

The guy talking about his divorce and becoming an alcoholic was spot on !!! Could not be more honest

[@maccoll3644]

Everyone needs a purpose in their life and older people often miss being needed and the purpose of going to work for social and financial reasons. Bingo is a hobby that helps many seniors pass the time.

[@adam1885282]

Fascinating to watch people assign patterns to random events

[@jackmiddleton2080]

I heard some lady talking about how she knew she found the right man because of the lyrics of a song that was on the radio at the time they met. I was like, "Lady half of all songs on the radio are love songs".