Irish Lottery Operator Fined Over System Error Impacting Winning Tickets

Software Error Causes Ticket Confusion

The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) reported a system glitch dating back to 2022 that caused confusion among lottery players.

The error allowed the “Check My Numbers” function on the National Lottery website to be accessed prematurely while the system was still verifying draw results.

As a result, some players received incorrect “Ticket Not a Winner” messages despite holding winning tickets.

The ORNL explained, “A third-party software release resulted in a number of players accessing the Check My Numbers facility on the National Lottery website at a time when it should not have been available, as draw results were still being verified.”

Financial Impact of the System Error

The regulator disclosed that the total amount of prizes affected by the error is approximately €2,299.

The most significant unclaimed ticket carried a €250 win, with others ranging between €2 and €24.

Premier Lotteries Ireland proactively informed the regulator about the issue and has since rectified the problem, ensuring the return of all unclaimed winnings to the affected players.

Regulatory Action and Reinvestment

In response to the incident, the ORNL imposed a €23,000 fine on Premier Lotteries Ireland.

The regulator stated that this penalty has been reinvested into various social initiatives, maintaining its commitment to ensuring the lottery’s contribution to community welfare.

Operator’s Response and Ownership Update

Premier Lotteries Ireland has managed the country’s National Lottery since 2014 under a 20-year license agreement.

In late 2023, the operator was acquired by French gambling firm La Française des Jeux (FDJ), taking over from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Premier Lotteries has assured that it has implemented all necessary measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.