Thousands in Norway Mistakenly Told They Won Lottery Millions

Norway's national lottery made global headlines in June 2025 after a technical error led to thousands of Eurojackpot players being wrongly notified of multi-million euro wins. The mistake caused a wave of excitement before the company quickly clarified the mix-up and offered apologies. The story even led to the CEO's resignation.

The Technical Glitch

On the evening of June 15, 2025, approximately 8,000 Eurojackpot players in Norway received notifications through the lottery's mobile app and email stating they had won prizes ranging from €100,000 to €5 million. The notifications appeared legitimate, using the lottery's official branding and messaging format.

The error occurred due to a software bug in the lottery's new notification system, which had been implemented just weeks earlier. The system incorrectly matched player numbers with winning combinations, triggering false win notifications to thousands of players.

Immediate Aftermath

Within minutes of the notifications being sent, social media exploded with posts from excited "winners" sharing their good fortune. Many players began making plans for their winnings, with some even calling family members and friends to share the news.

The lottery's customer service lines were immediately overwhelmed with calls from winners wanting to claim their prizes. It took approximately 45 minutes for lottery officials to realize the magnitude of the error and begin damage control.

The Correction

Norsk Tipping, Norway's state-owned lottery operator, quickly issued a correction through all available channels, including social media, email, and push notifications. The company explained that a technical error had caused false win notifications to be sent and apologized for any confusion or disappointment caused.

The company also set up a dedicated hotline for affected players to call with questions or concerns. Customer service representatives were instructed to apologize personally to each caller and explain what had happened.

Public Reaction

The public reaction was mixed. While many players understood that mistakes happen, others expressed anger and disappointment, particularly those who had already begun making plans based on their supposed winnings. Some players reported experiencing emotional distress from the rollercoaster of emotions.

Consumer advocacy groups criticized Norsk Tipping for not having adequate safeguards in place to prevent such errors. They called for better testing procedures and quality control measures for lottery systems, especially those involving large sums of money.

Compensation Offered

In response to the backlash, Norsk Tipping announced a compensation package for affected players. Each person who received a false notification was offered a free lottery ticket for the next Eurojackpot drawing, along with a formal written apology.

Additionally, the company pledged to donate 1 million Norwegian kroner (approximately €90,000) to a mental health charity, acknowledging the emotional impact the error may have had on some players.

Leadership Changes

The incident had significant repercussions at the executive level. Two weeks after the error, Norsk Tipping's CEO announced their resignation, taking responsibility for the technical failure and its impact on customers. The company's Chief Technology Officer also stepped down.

The Norwegian government, which oversees Norsk Tipping, launched an independent investigation into the incident to determine how such an error could occur and what measures should be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Industry Impact

The incident sent shockwaves through the global lottery industry, prompting other lottery operators to review their own notification systems and quality control procedures. Several international lottery organizations issued statements emphasizing the importance of rigorous testing and multiple verification steps before sending win notifications.

Technology vendors serving the lottery industry also faced increased scrutiny, with many operators demanding additional safeguards and fail-safes in their systems. The incident has become a case study in lottery industry conferences and training programs.

Lessons Learned

The Norway lottery error serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough testing and quality assurance in lottery operations. Industry experts recommend that lottery operators implement multiple verification steps before sending win notifications, especially for large prizes.

The incident also highlights the need for clear communication protocols and crisis management plans to handle situations when errors do occur. Quick, transparent communication can help mitigate damage and maintain public trust.