Lottery winners spend their money on: – Hair extensions and hunting weapons

– Many people have some thoughts about what they would do if they won a lot of money, says Ingrid Roterud Mathisen to Good Morning Norway.

She is the lottery and draw manager at Norsk Tipping, which recently conducted a survey, a millionaire survey, in which 538 winners from all over the country answered various questions.

One of the aims of the survey was to find out what the millionaires themselves have spent their money on.

Roterud Mathisen is one of those who call around to people who win anything from NOK 200 to NOK 400 million. She says that it is a small part of the job, but that it is the most fun she does.

– You sit down and make a phone call to someone at the other end, most people may not have any idea that they have won. It helps to change their lives at that very moment. And it’s an experience, because you join the whole journey. There are so many emotions.

“Missing Millionaire”

In 2021, Daniel Torjussen Hansen experienced winning one million kroner. He was abroad with the Armed Forces and did not receive a phone call, but in corona isolation he read a newspaper report in the Agder posten.

– It says “Missing millionaire, in his 20s, Arendal”, says the 26-year-old, before continuing:

– I thought: “I must at least check in”. So I checked it. There was nothing in the app that I had won. So then I thought: “Well, it wasn’t me this time”.

He nevertheless contacted Norsk Tipping in the chat on their website to ask what happened if you did not receive a call. He then received an answer that it was he who had won the cash prize.

– It is a message that many people dream of. What did you think?

– I actually thought quite a bit differently. I thought that now I can finally buy a house. Be a bit sensible with your money. But I was actually a bit speechless. Didn’t quite know what to think, says the millionaire winner.

Hair extensions and hunting weapons

But what do millionaires actually spend their money on? The survey shows that many gaming millionaires spend money on sensible things such as paying off loans, renovations and setting aside and saving money.

Ingrid Roterud Mathisen says that how gambling millionaires spend their money depends greatly on whether they have won one million or NOK 400 million.

– But many people want an extra holiday, or a nicer holiday. Also maybe a new car. It is very common.

– What is the strangest thing you have heard that they want to spend money on?

– There are some who immediately the next day go and buy a more expensive bacon than usual. Just because they can do it. But there was a lady here, who the day after she won, she went and got hair extensions and hunting weapons, actually. A bit of a fun combo there.

Torjussen Hansen bought a house, but also made an impulsive purchase.

– I bought a work of art from the King, says the 26-year-old before elaborating:

– I didn’t know what to do with the money either. I thought I had to have something to decorate with when I moved out. So then I thought the King, we all appreciate him, and is a role model.

Are you happier as a millionaire?

– I have often been asked that question. What do the winners say? Will they be happier, says Rotherud Mathisen.

She says that one in three millionaire winners who responded to the survey say that they became happier after the prize.

– A lot of it naturally goes to this with financial security at the bottom. That you have some minor worries about it. It’s completely natural. Many people say that it does not change their lives to any great extent.

She says that many of the millionaires choose to continue their lives as before even if they win a lot of money. The winners keep the same friends and have the same life as before.

– That’s the thing about being able to give away, share with others, be generous then, says Roterud Mathisen.

Torjussen Hansen is one of those who have felt happier after becoming a millionaire.

– There is something about that financial security. You don’t have to worry about whether you can afford to pay the electricity bill this month, and interest rate increases and such. When you have a small buffer standing and can live life almost the same as you did before, and not worry about all the expenses to come.

– Not the solution to an economic problem

The probability of winning a large prize in the Lotto is small.

– In Lotto, the probability of the first prize is 1:5.4 million. That means there are 5.4 million number combinations and it’s like finding the needle in the haystack and hitting it, says Roterud Mathisen.

– These are tough economic times for many. You are not afraid that people will bet money that should be spent on something else in the hope of winning millions?

– For us, it is important that people play for what they can afford. We also see no major changes in the number of players and turnover depending on boom and bust times. So it stays very stable, says Ingrid Roterud Mathisen, before adding:

– Then it is only important to know that gambling is not the solution to a financial problem, but that you play for what you can afford.

If you are struggling with gambling problems, you can call the Helpline free of charge and anonymously on 800 800 40, or contact Gambling Addiction Norway on 477 00 200.