Lottery Error Leaves Thousands in Norway Disappointed as CEO Resigns

Norsk Tipping caused confusion among "several thousand" lottery players after mistakenly notifying them of huge winnings due to a conversion error. CEO Tonje Sagstuen resigned following the blunder, expressing regret for the disappointment caused, while the Ministry of Culture calls for improved oversight.

Thousands of Norwegians faced an emotional rollercoaster after they were abruptly informed that they had won substantial sums in the Eurojackpot lottery, only to discover later that it was all due to a critical error at Norsk Tipping, the state-run gambling company. Last Friday, the company mistakenly notified "several thousand" players of inflated prize amounts, prompting a wave of excitement that quickly turned into disappointment.

The miscommunication was the result of a significant calculation error during the conversion of winnings from euros to Norwegian kroner, where amounts were multiplied rather than divided. Because of this blunder, players were told they had won eye-popping figures, far exceeding the real amounts owed. The issue was resolved, and correct winnings were communicated by Saturday evening, but thankfully, no incorrect payments had been made.

Tonje Sagstuen, who had recently taken over as CEO in September 2023, submitted her resignation the following day, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. In an official statement, she expressed profound regret and recognized the justified criticism from the public, who felt betrayed by the lottery's high-profile error. Many had planned specific life changes, including vacations and home renovations, based on the erroneous notifications.

One particularly affected player detailed her disappointment to local media after being informed she had won 1.2 million kroner (approximately $119,000) but was later advised to expect a much smaller payout. In the wake of the incident, the Norsk Tipping board convened an emergency meeting with the Ministry of Culture, which oversees the company's operations. Sagstuen emphasized her accountability, saying, "Here, things have failed in several places, this is my responsibility," while stressing her belief in the company's potential for improvement.

Culture Minister Lubna Jaffery echoed the sentiment, highlighting that such errors are unacceptable given Norsk Tipping's monopoly in providing gaming services within Norway. She reinforced the need for enhanced control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This incident is not the first time Norsk Tipping has faced public backlash, as the company admitted to dealing with serious errors and technical problems over the past year. The backlash against Norsk Tipping underscores the need for diligence in the gambling sector as they navigate the trust of their customers amidst rising concerns.