Latest news with #EuroJackpot
New York Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
‘False Hopes' Dashed in Norway as Thousands Mistakenly Told of Lottery Wins
Thousands of people in Norway thought that they had hit it big in a lottery last week. But what seemed like a stroke of luck didn't hold: Messages about their winnings had been sent by mistake, according to a state-owned gambling company. The company, Norsk Tipping, said that a coding error had led to notifications about 'erroneously high prizes' for Friday's EuroJackpot, a Europewide lottery. It said in a statement that 'several thousand' players had been affected, apologizing for the mistake. 'The error was discovered after a short time, but the damage was done,' Norsk Tipping said in a statement on Monday that noted the departure of its chief executive. Before leaving the company, the chief executive, Tonje Sagstuen, had apologized for giving people 'false hopes.' 'We understand of course that this is a breach of trust,' she said of the error, noting that she had received messages from players who had started to plan vacations or buy a home. Norsk Tipping, which handles the notifications for EuroJackpot in Norway, said that it received prize amounts in euros and then converted the figures to Norwegian kroner. The issue came from what Norsk Tipping described as a 'manual error' in the conversion code: Instead of dividing amounts by 100, as intended, the code multiplied them by 100, it said in a separate statement. EuroJackpot did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to figures on the lottery's website, the total prize fund for Friday's draw was about $50 million. Norsk Tipping did not specify how many customers had been affected by the error or how much they had been told they had won. The company did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. Sylvia Brustad, the chairwoman of Norsk Tipping, acknowledged that 'trust has been broken,' and said the company, which has come under heavy criticism from customers and the government, would work to do better. 'We are determined to clean up and improve ourselves,' she said.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Thousands mistakenly told they won up to millions in major lottery gaffe as players forced to abandon splurging dreams
A manual conversion error was to blame for the scandal OUT OF LUCK Thousands mistakenly told they won up to millions in major lottery gaffe as players forced to abandon splurging dreams THOUSANDS of people in Norway were mistakenly told they had won life-changing amounts of money in a blunder by the lottery. Some were even told they had become millionaires and began planning new futures - only to find their true prizes were much smaller. Advertisement 2 Thousands were told they had won huge sums on Norway's Euro Jackpot game Credit: Getty 2 Close-up Of Person's Hand Marking Number On Lottery Ticket With Pen Credit: Getty Norway's state-owned gambling operator, Norsk Tipping, said "several thousands countries were notified of incorrectly high prizes" won in the Euro Jackpot. The agonising mistake prompted the CEO to step down. It arose from a calculation error when prize amounts, received from Germany in Euros, were converted to the Norwegian Kroner. The company explained: 'It is during this conversion that a manual error has been made in the code that is entered into our game engine. Advertisement 'The amount has been multiplied by 100, instead of being divided by 100.' The eye-watering prizes were displayed on the website and mobile app on Friday but later removed. No incorrect sums were paid out, Norsk Tipping confirmed. One woman caught up in the farce is in the middle of a renovation project and told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) she was alerted that she had won £87,000 - but instead received only a fraction of that. Advertisement Others said they made plans to buy cars and planned holidays - only to have it all snatched away. Lise Naustdal, who thought she had won £138,000, said: "It was a very fun minute." Man wins $800k at casino but is told he won't see a cent – he's being forced to sue for wanting to 'stay below radar' The company was hauled in front of the Ministry of Culture for an emergency meeting on Saturday. Following the scolding, Tonje Sagstuen, its chief since 2023, stepped down. Advertisement She said: "I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us. "Here, things have failed in several places, this is my responsibility." Tonje admitted that "criticism is justified" over the "breach of trust". Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, told NRK that "such mistakes should not happen" - especially given Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to deliver gaming services in the country. Advertisement She said: "We expect the board to work actively to improve the control routines." Tonje added: 'As a manager, it has been my responsibility to handle the mistakes that have occurred. 'Therefore, it is also incredibly sad to leave Norsk Tipping and all the talented people who work in Hamar. Advertisement "I will miss everyone I have worked with, but I am confident that all the improvement processes we have initiated are in good hands.'
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands mistakenly told they won up to millions in major lottery gaffe as players forced to abandon splurging dreams
A manual conversion error was to blame for the scandal OUT OF LUCK Thousands mistakenly told they won up to millions in major lottery gaffe as players forced to abandon splurging dreams Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of people in Norway were mistakenly told they had won life-changing amounts of money in a blunder by the lottery. Some were even told they had become millionaires and began planning new futures - only to find their true prizes were much smaller. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Thousands were told they had won huge sums on Norway's Euro Jackpot game Credit: Getty 2 Close-up Of Person's Hand Marking Number On Lottery Ticket With Pen Credit: Getty Norway's state-owned gambling operator, Norsk Tipping, said "several thousands countries were notified of incorrectly high prizes" won in the Euro Jackpot. The agonising mistake prompted the CEO to step down. It arose from a calculation error when prize amounts, received from Germany in Euros, were converted to the Norwegian Kroner. The company explained: 'It is during this conversion that a manual error has been made in the code that is entered into our game engine. 'The amount has been multiplied by 100, instead of being divided by 100.' The eye-watering prizes were displayed on the website and mobile app on Friday but later removed. No incorrect sums were paid out, Norsk Tipping confirmed. One woman caught up in the farce is in the middle of a renovation project and told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) she was alerted that she had won £87,000 - but instead received only a fraction of that. Others said they made plans to buy cars and planned holidays - only to have it all snatched away. Lise Naustdal, who thought she had won £138,000, said: "It was a very fun minute." Man wins $800k at casino but is told he won't see a cent – he's being forced to sue for wanting to 'stay below radar' The company was hauled in front of the Ministry of Culture for an emergency meeting on Saturday. Following the scolding, Tonje Sagstuen, its chief since 2023, stepped down. She said: "I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us. "Here, things have failed in several places, this is my responsibility." Tonje admitted that "criticism is justified" over the "breach of trust". Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, told NRK that "such mistakes should not happen" - especially given Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to deliver gaming services in the country. She said: "We expect the board to work actively to improve the control routines." Tonje added: 'As a manager, it has been my responsibility to handle the mistakes that have occurred. 'Therefore, it is also incredibly sad to leave Norsk Tipping and all the talented people who work in Hamar. "I will miss everyone I have worked with, but I am confident that all the improvement processes we have initiated are in good hands.'
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Thousands mistakenly told they won up to millions in major lottery gaffe as players forced to abandon splurging dreams
THOUSANDS of people in Norway were mistakenly told they had won life-changing amounts of money in a blunder by the lottery. Some were even told they had become millionaires and began planning new futures - only to find their true prizes were much smaller. 2 Thousands were told they had won huge sums on Norway's Euro Jackpot game Credit: Getty 2 Close-up Of Person's Hand Marking Number On Lottery Ticket With Pen Credit: Getty Norway 's state-owned gambling operator, Norsk Tipping, said "several thousands countries were notified of incorrectly high prizes" won in the Euro Jackpot. The agonising mistake prompted the CEO to step down. It arose from a calculation error when prize amounts, received from Germany in Euros, were converted to the Norwegian Kroner. The company explained: 'It is during this conversion that a manual error has been made in the code that is entered into our game engine. read more in world news 'The amount has been multiplied by 100, instead of being divided by 100.' The eye-watering prizes were displayed on the website and mobile app on Friday but later removed. No incorrect sums were paid out, Norsk Tipping confirmed. One woman caught up in the farce is in the middle of a renovation project and told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) she was alerted that she had won £87,000 - but instead received only a fraction of that. Most read in The US Sun Others said they made plans to buy cars and planned holidays - only to have it all snatched away. Lise Naustdal, who thought she had won £138,000, said: "It was a very fun minute." Man wins $800k at casino but is told he won't see a cent – he's being forced to sue for wanting to 'stay below radar' The company was hauled in front of the Ministry of Culture for an emergency meeting on Saturday. Following the scolding, Tonje Sagstuen, its chief since 2023, stepped down. She said: "I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us. "Here, things have failed in several places, this is my responsibility." Tonje admitted that "criticism is justified" over the "breach of trust". Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, told NRK that "such mistakes should not happen" - especially given Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to deliver gaming services in the country. She said: "We expect the board to work actively to improve the control routines." Tonje added: 'As a manager, it has been my responsibility to handle the mistakes that have occurred. 'Therefore, it is also incredibly sad to leave Norsk Tipping and all the talented people who work in Hamar. "I will miss everyone I have worked with, but I am confident that all the improvement processes we have initiated are in good hands.'
