Massive Lottery Error Disappoints Norwegian Participants
A significant technical error by Norway's state gambling operator Norsk Tipping falsely informed thousands of Eurojackpot participants they had won substantial prizes on Friday. The mistake, caused by a currency conversion error, created widespread excitement followed by profound disappointment when corrections were issued hours later.
The Conversion Error
Norsk Tipping receives Eurojackpot prize money in euros and converts it to Norwegian kroner for distribution. During this process, an amount that should have been divided by 100 was instead multiplied by 100. This miscalculation inflated prize announcements by a factor of 100, leading winners to believe they'd won life-changing sums.
Swift Fallout and Leadership Change
The error was discovered Friday evening, prompting immediate removal of incorrect prize information from all platforms. The CEO publicly apologized, stating: "I'm terribly sorry we've disappointed so many people." She resigned effective immediately amid the scandal.
Correct Payouts and Historical Issues
By Saturday evening, accurate prize amounts were published and distributed. Norsk Tipping, Norway's sole legal gambling provider, has faced previous operational failures. In May 2025, the company received a €4 million fine for persistent technical errors in lottery draws spanning several years.
About Eurojackpot
Eurojackpot is a transnational lottery operated across multiple European nations. Known for its substantial jackpots, it holds draws every Friday evening. The incident marks one of the most significant operational failures in European lottery history.