Thousands of Norwegians incorrectly informed of big lottery wins
July 1 (UPI) -- The national lottery operator in Norway apologized after at least 47,000 people who won small amounts were mistakenly told they had won much more.
Norsk Tipping sent a text message to 47,000 lottery players in the country informing them that their reported prize amounts for the Eurojackpot drawing had been mistakenly inflated due to an error in currency conversion.
The operator explained the prize amounts it receives from Germany are given in euros, which are then converted to Norwegian kroner. The error occurred during conversion for the recent Eurojackpot drawing, when the number of euros was multiplied by 100, instead of being divided.
Ole Fredrik Sveen, 53, one of the players who received the correction, said he was initially told he had won 1.2 million kroner -- about $119,010 -- but later learned his prize was only 125 kroner, or $12.40.
"You could have been really unlucky and spent a large amount of money then found out it wasn't true," Sveen told The Guardian. "But thankfully we kept our heads cool and realized it wasn't meant to be this time either."
Norsk Tipping apologized for the error, saying none of the incorrect prize amounts had been paid out.
"Norsk Tipping sincerely apologizes to everyone who was notified of an incorrect prize amount," the company said in a statement.
Norsk Tipping CEO Tonje Sagstuen apologized in a separate statement issued Saturday.
"I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us," Sagstuen said. "I have received many messages from people who had managed to make plans for holidays, buying an apartment or renovating before they realized that the amount was wrong."
Sagstuen has since stepped down as CEO, and was replaced by acting CEO Vegar Strand.
"We deeply regret what has happened, and on behalf of us at Norsk Tipping I would like to apologize to everyone who was affected by this," Strand said in a statement after taking up the position.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
43 minutes ago
- UPI
Robinhood app now comes with NFL, college football predictions
Robinhood said Tuesday that its U.S.-based customers now can trade on outcomes of the most popular pro and college football games. In February, a report indicated millions of Americans sought help for gambling addiction in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 ruling to allow states to legalize online sports betting. File (2024) Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Financial marketplace Robinhood said Tuesday its newly launched predictive market in its app will allow customers to trade on a series of different professional and college football outcomes. Robinhood Derivatives LLC said that, within the Robinhood app via the Prediction Markets Hub, its U.S.-based customers now can trade on outcomes of the most popular pro and college football games, which includes all regular-season matchups and college Power 4 schools and independents, according to company officials. "Adding pro and college football to our prediction markets hub is a no-brainer for us as we aim to make Robinhood a one-stop shop for all your investing and trading needs," JB Mackenzie, Robinhood's VP & GM of Futures and International, said in a statement. Mackenzie described American football as "the most popular sport" in the nation. Robinhood officials said pro and college football prediction markets are "rolling out now" and will be available to eligible customers in the next few days. Robinhood Derivatives is a separate but wholly-owned entity of Robinhood Markets. According to Robinhood, its customers can access contracts in real time and manage risk "by adjusting -- or exiting -- their positions up to and throughout a game before a contract expires." In February, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ended its investigation into Robinhood Crypto, saying it will not pursue further action with company officials adamant it never should have been opened to start. A report the same month indicated that millions of Americans sought help for gambling addiction in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Record bull auction bolsters Argentina's status in Brangus production
Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Mafioso, a high-pedigree Argentine Brangus breeding bull, sold for $200,000 for 50% ownership -- the highest price ever paid for such an animal at a livestock auction in the country. The sale took place at the Rural Society of Jesús María in Córdoba during an annual auction of elite breeding stock. The bull belonged to El Porvenir, an award-winning livestock producer. Mafioso, a 3-year-old Brangus bull that weighs 2,041 pounds, is the son of Picante, an elite bull who won several national competitions. His lineage makes him a high-value genetic sire, giving the sale significance not only nationally, but also internationally. Half of the bull was purchased by a group of ranchers along with Select Debernardi, an Argentine company that specializes in genetic improvement and bovine semen production for beef and dairy cattle. Mafioso, regarded as a true "sire" of the Brangus breed, is expected to have his genetics used by leading breeding operations, securing his legacy in elite cattle production worldwide. From a young age, Mafioso stood out. He won the titles of "Best National Calf" and "Best Pen Calf." In 2025, he reached the elite of the breed as Grand Champion at the National Exhibition in Corrientes. Walter Orodá, owner of El Porvenir ranch, said the sale price exceeded all expectations. "We did not expect such a figure," he said. "The price was not something we imagined, and it really surprised all of us. The bull will be used not only in Argentina but in many countries," he told the Argentine outlet The Brangus breed is among the most prized in cattle ranching for its tender, high-quality meat with excellent flavor. It originated from a cross between the Brahman breed from India and the Aberdeen Angus from England and was introduced to Argentina in the mid-20th century. Brangus cattle are docile and highly resistant to parasites and common diseases. In recent years, the Brangus breed has become Argentina's leading exporter of bovine semen, surpassing the long-dominant Angus. Its expansion across South America, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, is driven by regulatory, genetic and strategic factors that have made the Argentine Brangus a regional benchmark. In 2018, Brangus led Argentina's bovine semen exports for the first time, with nearly 487,000 doses, representing 49.5% of all beef cattle breeds. By 2024, that share had grown to 56%, according to the Argentine Chamber of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction. Brazil is the main buyer of Argentine Brangus genetics, followed by Uruguay and Colombia, with growing interest from Mexico and Costa Rica. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
Record bull auction bolsters Argentina's status in Brangus production
The Brangus breed is among the most prized in cattle ranching for its tender, high-quality meat with excellent flavor. It originated from a cross between the Brahman breed from India and the Aberdeen Angus from England. File Photo by Andrea Cristaldo/EPA Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Mafioso, a high-pedigree Argentine Brangus breeding bull, sold for $200,000 for 50% ownership -- the highest price ever paid for such an animal at a livestock auction in the country. The sale took place at the Rural Society of Jesús María in Córdoba during an annual auction of elite breeding stock. The bull belonged to El Porvenir, an award-winning livestock producer. Mafioso, a 3-year-old Brangus bull that weighs 2,041 pounds, is the son of Picante, an elite bull who won several national competitions. His lineage makes him a high-value genetic sire, giving the sale significance not only nationally, but also internationally. Half of the bull was purchased by a group of ranchers along with Select Debernardi, an Argentine company that specializes in genetic improvement and bovine semen production for beef and dairy cattle. Mafioso, regarded as a true "sire" of the Brangus breed, is expected to have his genetics used by leading breeding operations, securing his legacy in elite cattle production worldwide. From a young age, Mafioso stood out. He won the titles of "Best National Calf" and "Best Pen Calf." In 2025, he reached the elite of the breed as Grand Champion at the National Exhibition in Corrientes. Walter Orodá, owner of El Porvenir ranch, said the sale price exceeded all expectations. "We did not expect such a figure," he said. "The price was not something we imagined, and it really surprised all of us. The bull will be used not only in Argentina but in many countries," he told the Argentine outlet The Brangus breed is among the most prized in cattle ranching for its tender, high-quality meat with excellent flavor. It originated from a cross between the Brahman breed from India and the Aberdeen Angus from England and was introduced to Argentina in the mid-20th century. Brangus cattle are docile and highly resistant to parasites and common diseases. In recent years, the Brangus breed has become Argentina's leading exporter of bovine semen, surpassing the long-dominant Angus. Its expansion across South America, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, is driven by regulatory, genetic and strategic factors that have made the Argentine Brangus a regional benchmark. In 2018, Brangus led Argentina's bovine semen exports for the first time, with nearly 487,000 doses, representing 49.5% of all beef cattle breeds. By 2024, that share had grown to 56%, according to the Argentine Chamber of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction. Brazil is the main buyer of Argentine Brangus genetics, followed by Uruguay and Colombia, with growing interest from Mexico and Costa Rica.
