Pelt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Dorpsstraat in Overpelt, Pelt, saw its 12th National Lottery win as €1.5 million was claimed at Duoshop; Rob Kuyken’s shop has 11 Lotto and 3 Win for Life winners, attracting players nationwide.
As VRT News reported, Dorpsstraat in Overpelt drew attention again this week after another major National Lottery win. The street, found in the centre of Pelt, has won the National Lottery’s top prize 12th times. The latest jackpot of €1.5 million was claimed with a ticket bought at the Duoshop newsagent.
“We’ve been in Overpelt for six years now, and this is our first winner since we opened,”
says owner Hafsa Gujjar proudly.
“We didn’t see it coming at all, but we’re thrilled for the winner. We’re certainly happy for all our customers. The National Lottery says that a store receives the big prize on average every 13 years. We’re incredibly lucky to be up this time.”
“1.5 million euros won with Lotto in Pelt: “They’re even coming from Holland now, lots of new faces!”
Radio 2 Radio 2 Afternoon in Limburg
What makes Dorpsstraat in Overpelt a lucky street for lottery wins?
Shops along Dorpsstraat saw more people stopping by to discuss the new jackpot. Staff at Duoshop said customers talked about the win throughout the day.
“I’d love to know who it is; it’s exciting. We understand the anonymity, but of course, we’re curious. Who knows, we might suddenly see a customer with a fancy BMW in front of our door soon; that’s all possible, “
laughs Guijar.
“We’ve all seen it on the news,”
adds a regular at the newsstand.
“I’ve never won anything, but who knows, maybe next time. The luck is hanging in the shop, so who knows?”
Dorpsstraat is gaining more attention under the name “The Lucky Street,” a label that locals now use. Rob’s Shop stands right next to Hafsa’s newsstand, and both shops have produced several winning tickets over the years.
Rob says he has no secret method behind the long list of wins. He explains that the store is busy every day and draws many people who come in to play, which increases the chance that someone walks out with a prize. He also runs a system that allows regular customers to join group plays from a distance.
“We’ve already won the National Lottery’s main prize 11 times, and the Win for Life prize three times, so we can’t complain,”
beams owner Rob Kuyken.
“Last year, for example, we had a winner with €2.5 million, and in 2014 someone won €1.7 million.”
“The customer who just won €1.5 million is actually a regular customer of ours. Because we were on vacation, he dropped off his form at the other newsagent. But I don’t want to take credit for the other newsagent,”
Kuyken says, laughing.
The street’s reputation has spread well beyond Limburg.
“I know a regular customer from Antwerp who takes the train every week to come and play the Lotto with us.”
Rob Kuyken, newspaper vendor in Dorpsstraat in Overpelt
Rob mentions a customer from Antwerp who travels by train each week just to buy his lottery ticket in the shop. For many players, the street has become a well-known stop associated with frequent jackpot stories.
“People really believe there’s a kind of lucky streak in the air here. They come to our store deliberately because they know there’s a lot of winning here. It’s and always will be a game of luck, of course,”
he adds.
Dorpsstraat in Overpelt, part of Pelt, has gained fame as a “lucky street” due to several major lottery wins over the years. In 2014, a player won €1.7 million at Rob’s Shop. On 3 May 2024, another ticket from the same shop won €2.5 million.
