Mispronunciations on waste stamps trigger lawsuits against lotteries in Austria
Going Bust Over a Scratch: The Austrian Lotteries' Multimillion-Euro MisstepBy Yannick Schroth, with updates by Angela Burke, published on: 12.03.2025, updated on: 24.04.2025.
A Formulation Debacle Threatens the Austrian Lotteries' Finances: 200 Players win the 60,000 EUR jackpot due to an error in the Christmas scratch card series' rules.
The gambling monopoly in Austria just hit a snag. Image by Adem Erkoç/Pexels
200 lucky winners (or so they think)
A slip-up in the game rules of the 1 Year Christmas! scratch card series from the Austrian Lotteries has sparked a flurry of lawsuits, as reported by the daily Today. Initially, only two winners were accounted for. Now, a whopping 200 players are laying claim to the main prize of 60,000 EUR each.
The crux of the issue? An unclear formulation on the back of the cards: It was stated there that players had to find the 5000-EUR symbol three times to win the jackpot. However, the crucial expansion per game was omitted, leading some card owners to interpret the rules as meaning that a distribution of the symbols over several cards also counted as a win. A local court has already ruled in favor of one such plaintiff, who received their winnings of 60,000 EUR.
Millions in potential payouts
If all the plaintiffs have their day in court, this could spell financial trouble for the Austrian Lotteries. With a total of 1.2 million cards from the flawed series having been sold, the payout rate being 57%, and (as per the Kleine Zeitung) up to 12 million EUR being due if all 200 plaintiffs are given the jackpot, this is a bill the Lotteries are not exactly rejoicing about covering.
If the rules are interpreted in favor of the plaintiffs, an estimated 270,000 cards could potentially be declared jackpot winners, theoretically creating a staggering total claim amount of 16 billion EUR. Lawyer Oliver Peschel, who is representing 180 card holders, has promised more legal action.
In the world of gambling, you win some, and you lose some. In this instance, it seems many have won, albeit perhaps not quite as intended."- Oliver Peschel, Austrian lawyer, Profil
Changing tactics
In response to this turn of events, the legal department of the Lotteries has shifted its defense strategy and is now claiming that the game contract is null and void due to an obvious explanatory error. The affected players are being offered the refund of the 3 EUR purchase price. Furthermore, the Lotteries have pointed out that many cards may have already been discarded, which could potentially lower the number of potential plaintiffs.
Scratch cards: Europe's favorite instant gambling
Scratch cards are considered one of Europe's most popular forms of instant gambling. They are offered by the Austrian Lotteries and are available at retail outlets, supermarkets, and online. The allure of scratch cards lies in their immediacy – players simply rub off the covered fields, and voila! They know instantly whether they've won.
Not only in Austria, but in numerous other European countries, scratch cards are in high demand:
Germany: Scratch cards are distributed by the state lotteries of the individual federal states. They can be found at lottery sales outlets, supermarkets, and online. Prices typically range between 1 and 20 EUR.
Switzerland: The Swisslos (German-speaking Switzerland) and the Loterie Romande (French-speaking Switzerland) offer scratch cards boasting jackpots of up to 1 million CHF (approximately 1.7 million EUR).
France: The Jeux de grattage of the Française des Jeux (FDJ) are extremely popular. There are numerous variations with main prizes of up to several million EUR.
Spain: The ONCE lottery sells scratch cards, with the proceeds benefiting the visually impaired.
United Kingdom: The National Lottery peddles Scratchcards that allow for wins ranging from just a few GBP to six-figure amounts.
Despite their popularity, scratch cards are generally considered high-risk, as they enable quick and repeated gambling, which may contribute to problematic gambling behavior. In Austria, as in all other gambling activities, they are subject to strict regulations.
However, lawyers anticipate further litigation. Lawyer Philipp Kalser, who is representing another plaintiff, has remarked that the lotteries failed to address their alleged mistake in a timely fashion. The company is already preparing for possible negotiations before the highest court.
Note: This updated article is not exhaustive and based on available information. For details about the specific resolution process (e.g., honoring all claims, litigation, or negotiated settlements) for the Austrian Lotteries' case, users may find it advisable to consult official Austrian lottery statements or gaming regulatory updates for precise information.*
- The gambling monopoly in Austria, facing a potential financial crisis due to a confusing formulation on the Christmas scratch card series' rules, has sparked a flurry of lawsuits, with up to 12 million Euros being due if all 200 plaintiffs are granted the jackpot.
- If all 200 players win their cases, it could theoretically create a staggering total claim amount of 16 billion Euros, a claim that Austrian lawyer Oliver Peschel, who is representing 180 card holders, has promised to pursue further.
- The Austrian Lotteries, in response to this situation, have shifted their defense strategy and are now claiming that the game contract is null and void due to an explanatory error, offering the affected players a refund of their purchase price.
- Scratch cards, generally considered one of Europe's most popular forms of instant gambling, are offered by the Austrian Lotteries and are available at retail outlets, supermarkets, and online, featuring jackpots of up to several million Euros in various European countries like Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
- However, lawyers anticipate further litigation, with Philipp Kalser, another Austrian lawyer who is representing a plaintiff, stating that the lotteries failed to address their alleged mistake in a timely fashion, hinting at possible negotiations before the highest court.
