Winning Streak hosts, Marty Whelan and Sinéad Kennedy. Photo: Mac Innes Photography

148 Westmeath Winning Streak players won €4,498,387 in last 28 years

More than €168 million has been won by players on the Winning Streak game show on RTÉ One since it launched more than 28 years ago, figures released today by the National Lottery reveal. 

Over the 28 years, 148 players from Westmeath have taken part in the game show, and won a total of €4,498,387.

The programme, one of Europe’s longest-running game shows, is celebrating its 1,000th episode this Saturday (February 24) and has featured 5,925 players since it first aired on September 21, 1990.

The top five luckiest counties by appearances are:

1. Dublin - 1,044 players winning a combined €29,139,734

2. Cork - 573 players winning a combined €17,619,767

3. Galway - 346 Winning Streak players winning a combined €9,336,018

4. Donegal - 283 players winning a combined €7,421,147

5. Limerick - 266 players winning a combined €7,956,136.

The top five luckiest counties by highest average prize per player:

1. Kilkenny - average win of €34,530 per player

2. Wicklow – average win of €33,030 per player

3. Cork – average win of €30,750 per player

4. Leitrim – average win of €30,607 per player

5. Westmeath – average win of €30,395 per player

Marty Whelan and Sinead Kennedy have been presenting the show together since 2013.

Marty, who has been presenting since 2009, said: “1,000 shows is such an impressive feat but a true testament to how the format of Winning Streak works. 

“It is reality TV, before reality TV existed, and to get to know each of the five players every week while guiding them through the games and watching them win thousands of euro is fascinating. 

“It has been an honour to have played a part in the success of the show which has been a Saturday evening staple in households across Ireland for almost three decades.”

Sinead Kennedy said: “My favourite part of the show is getting to know each contestant over the week leading up to the show, first by having a conversation or two over the phone, and then meeting.

“Even though the show is only on for one hour, in that hour I think that the viewers also get to know five players on screen and that is what makes the show so successful.”