The State Bank of India recently revealed crucial information following the Supreme Court’s directive, leading to the public disclosure by the Election Commission of the list of organizations that bought electoral bonds for political donations. Topping the list was Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, spearheaded by Santiago Martin, who is widely known as the “Lottery King.”
The tale of Santiago Martin is a fusion of dreams and political entanglements, highlighting his remarkable journey from a laborer in Myanmar to his current status as the “Lottery King.” Despite starting from humble beginnings, Martin carved out a significant presence in India’s intricate political sphere, utilizing lotteries to sell dreams and fortunes to ordinary people. According to data from the Election Commission, his company invested a staggering Rs 1,368 crore on electoral bonds between April 2019 and January 2024.
At 59, Santiago Martin remains one of the most controversial and fascinating figures in South Indian business circles. After migrating from Myanmar, he founded Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd. in Coimbatore in 1988. The enormous craze for two-digit lotteries that gripped the region at the time was what catapulted the brand “Lottery Martin” and his company into the limelight.
Following his initial success in Coimbatore, Martin expanded his operations into Karnataka and Kerala. Eventually, he secured the necessary licenses to run his business in various states including Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra. His empire, built on the dreams and hopes of common people, brought him immense wealth and political clout. However, Martin’s journey was not without controversy. Kerala, a state where lotteries have substantial psychological and financial sway over the population, was the first place where Martin found himself embroiled in a political scandal.
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In 2008, Martin contributed two crore rupees to Deshabhimani, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), even as he faced accusations of defrauding the Sikkim government of over Rs 4,500 crore. His involvement with the political publication raised many eyebrows and underscored his intricate network of political connections.
Since 2019, Martin’s company has been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED’s probe intensified in May 2023 when raids were conducted in Chennai and Coimbatore, adding another layer of complexity to Martin’s already controversial profile.
According to officials familiar with the case, the ED investigation is based on a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The charge sheet alleges that Martin’s company sold lotteries in Kerala on behalf of the Sikkim government, which is a focal point of the ongoing probe. The burgeoning scandal surrounding lottery malpractices has thrown a spotlight on Martin’s activities and has led to widespread discussions about the legality and ethical implications of such business operations.
Despite these controversies, Santiago Martin’s influence in both business and politics remains formidable. The revelation that his company purchased electoral bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore has intensified scrutiny on how business moguls can wield financial power to sway political landscapes. Electoral bonds, designed to ensure the anonymity of donors, have often been criticized for lacking transparency, thus enabling large corporations and influential individuals to funnel money into political parties without public accountability.
The confluence of wealth, politics, and lotteries forms the crux of Santiago Martin’s story, which continues to unfold. As investigations progress and new allegations surface, the narrative of the “Lottery King” captivates the public imagination and serves as a poignant reminder of the potent mix of dreams, fortunes, and political intrigue in the modern world.
While Martin’s journey from a laborer to a kingpin in the lottery business is undoubtedly remarkable, it is the intertwining scandals and the amount of financial power he wields that intrigue and concern the public. The unfolding saga promises to shed more light on the murky intersections of business, politics, and personal ambition, casting a long shadow over the landscape of India’s electoral funding and the integrity of its democratic processes.
