In a surprising turn of events, many Norwegians thought they had hit the jackpot when they received notifications claiming they had won millions in the Eurojackpot. However, the excitement turned to disappointment when it was revealed that the notifications were a result of a significant conversion error. Norsk Tipping, the state-owned gambling provider, reported that "several thousand" individuals received incorrect prize amounts on Friday, prompting widespread confusion.
The agency's CEO, Tonje Sagstuen, stepped down just a day after the incident and publicly apologized to the affected individuals, acknowledging the frustration and anger felt by those misled. The blunder occurred due to a miscalculation in converting Eurocents to Norwegian kroner, where the amounts were mistakenly multiplied by 100 instead of being properly converted into a lower figure. Despite the alarming headlines, Norsk Tipping confirmed that no erroneous payouts had been made.
"I am incredibly sorry for the disappointment this has caused," Sagstuen stated. The CEO reflected on the messages she received from hopeful winners who had made plans based on the erroneous figures, including vacations and home renovations.
One affected individual, who was in the midst of a renovation, recounted receiving a notification claiming a win of 1.2 million kroner ($119,000), only to find out that the actual amount was significantly less. In response to the mistake, Norsk Tipping convened an emergency meeting with the Ministry of Culture that oversees its operations.
Post-meeting, Sagstuen acknowledged her responsibility for the oversight, expressing sadness over her departure as CEO, a position she had held since just September. The Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, emphasized the need for improved control measures within Norsk Tipping, asserting that significant errors like this should not occur, especially given the company’s exclusive rights to operate gambling in the country.
Moreover, this incident reflects ongoing challenges for Norsk Tipping, which has faced recent criticism for serious errors and technical difficulties. The company recognized the justified dissatisfaction voiced by both regulators and customers in light of these recurring issues.
