Regulator Slams Norsk Tipping Over Eurojackpot Blunder

Norway’s gambling authority has concluded that state-owned lottery provider, Norsk Tipping, violated the Gambling Act following an incident where thousands of players mistakenly received notifications of winning large prizes in the 27 June Eurojackpot draw. With lottery draw errors increasingly common, such persistent issues have left many consumers feeling increasingly frustrated.

Norsk Tipping’s CEO Resigned Shortly After

According to the Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteritilsynet), a technical glitch in the currency conversion system generated excessive prize notices, which were distributed to roughly 30,000 players via SMS and app push notifications. The messages, which indicated winnings well above the real figures, left many recipients ecstatic before they learned the truth.

Once the error became public, Norsk Tipping immediately corrected it and apologized. Nevertheless, public confidence had already been damaged. Lotteritilsynet was clear that such incidents compromise the integrity of the national lottery and infringe on the principles set out in the Gambling Act, specifically concerning clear communication and consumer protection.

“Norsk Tipping has violated the Gambling Act. The fact that several thousand players are notified that their winnings are too high is clearly detrimental to confidence.”

Anya Therese Markhus, Lotteritilsynet senior advisor

The repercussions were swift. Norsk Tipping CEO Tonje Sagstuen, who had just taken over the position, quit soon after the mistake made national headlines, citing accountability and transparency. Her letter of resignation recognized the public’s disappointment and frustration, recognizing that a new leadership direction was necessary for the company to restore consumer trust.

The Monopoly Operator Faces Rising Scrutiny

This recent controversy adds to a growing list of blunders from the monopoly operator. Earlier this year, Norsk Tipping was under fire for the alleged inability to block minors from its gaming offerings. In April, the operator was fined NOK 46 million (approximately $4.55 million) for ongoing lottery draw irregularities. Another case involved failures to enforce self-exclusion, which resulted in a NOK 36 million ($3.56 million) fine.

The string of incidents has intensified demands for a sweeping reform of Norway’s tightly controlled gambling system. Critics argue that the system does not provide sufficient competition to promote accountability and innovation. The Conservative Party (Høyre) has renewed its efforts to scrap the existing model in favor of a licensing system, drawing inspiration from neighboring Finland.

With the pressure mounting and trust in Norsk Tipping wavering, industry experts believe Noray may not be too far off from a liberalized gambling market. This sentiment is especially relevant given the growing recognition of the issues inherent to a monopoly system. While no formal legislative proposal has been made, the groundwork for change is already in place.