*Norsk Tipping faces backlash after multiple recipients of Eurojackpot notifications discover winnings were exaggerated by an erroneous conversion. CEO resigns amidst mounting criticism over trust breach.*
**Lottery Error Leaves Thousands in Norway Disappointed Over Non-Existent Wins**
**Lottery Error Leaves Thousands in Norway Disappointed Over Non-Existent Wins**
Thousands mistakenly notified of winning millions in lottery due to conversion error spark outrage and leadership change.
In a surprising turn of events, many hopeful Norwegians believed they had struck it rich, only to find out days later that they were victims of a significant error on the part of the country’s state-owned lottery operator, Norsk Tipping. What began as excitement for "several thousand" ticket holders rapidly led to confusion and disappointment when the company retracted notifications of inflated winnings.
The debacle originated from a miscalculation in converting euros to Norwegian kroner. Instead of dividing the numbers by 100, the figures were erroneously multiplied, leading to prize announcements that were inaccurately high. The error became public knowledge on Friday when Norsk Tipping informed customers of the mistake, sparking outrage among those caught in the mix.
Norsk Tipping’s CEO, Tonje Sagstuen, who had been in her position for only a short span since September 2023, tendered her resignation in the wake of the blunder. "I am deeply sorry for the disappointment this has caused, and I fully understand the anger directed at us," Sagstuen expressed, acknowledging that the breach of trust warranted the criticism received. She relayed anecdotes from hopeful players who had made plans for their newfound wealth—traveling, home renovations, or purchasing real estate—before the impending letdown.
The company acted quickly to correct the error and set the record straight by Saturday evening, assuring the public that no erroneous payouts had been processed. Nevertheless, the fallout prompted an emergency meeting with the Ministry of Culture to discuss the mishap, emphasizing the pivotal responsibility the organization holds as the sole provider of lottery services in Norway.
Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery affirmed that the error was unacceptable, calling for strengthened control measures moving forward. The incident, however, is not an isolated event for Norsk Tipping; the company has faced a variety of technical problems and criticisms over serious errors in recent months, acknowledging the need for improvement and reaffirming their commitment to regaining public trust.
