The State Bank of India has recently released information during an indictment by the Supreme Court, shedding light on the extensive network of organizations that have purchased electoral bonds to inject funds into political causes. The Election Commission has made this list public, revealing the organization that made the most significant contributions: Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, a company led by Santiago Martin, famously known as the “Lottery King.”
Santiago Martin’s journey from humble beginnings to a kingpin in the lottery business is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from a background marked by laborious work in Myanmar, his rise to prominence is steeped in dreams and controversy, traversing the multifaceted political terrain of India. Martin’s influence is evident in his ability to sell dreams of fortunes through lottery tickets, a venture that catapulted him to immense wealth and notoriety. According to information made public on the Election Commission’s website, Martin’s company purchased electoral bonds worth a staggering Rs 1,368 crore between April 2019 and January 2024.
The name Santiago Martin resonates strongly, particularly in South Indian business circles, stirring both controversy and intrigue. Now 59 years old, Martin’s journey into the lottery business began when he left Myanmar and established Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd. in Coimbatore in 1988. At that time, South India was gripped by a two-digit lottery craze, a phenomenon that played a pivotal role in the popularity of the brand “Lottery Martin.”
Martin’s business prowess didn’t stop in Coimbatore. He expanded his operations to Karnataka and Kerala, later obtaining licenses to extend his lottery ventures to Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra. His empire was built on the aspirations and dreams of the common people, which, in turn, translated into immense wealth and power for him. Nevertheless, wealth and notoriety often come hand-in-hand with scrutiny. Martin’s foray into Kerala’s lottery business placed him at the center of a political scandal in a state where lotteries have substantial psychological and financial impacts on the population. In 2008, Martin donated two crore rupees to the CPI(M) mouthpiece Deshabhimani, even while accusations loomed over him for allegedly defrauding the Sikkim government of more than Rs 4,500 crore.
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Since 2019, Martin’s company has been under the investigative lens of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This scrutiny intensified in May 2023, with the ED conducting raids in Chennai and Coimbatore, further probing the financial undertakings of Martin’s ventures. The trigger for these investigations, as stated by officials familiar with the case in an interview with HT, is a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet. The charge sheet alleges that Martin’s company sold lotteries from the Sikkim government illegitimately in Kerala.
The story of Santiago Martin is a complex weave of ambition, enterprise, and controversy. His extraordinary ascent from a laborer in Myanmar to an influential figure in India’s lottery business underscores the narrative of dreams and the lengths people will go to achieve them. Despite his success and wealth, Martin’s journey has not been devoid of challenges, particularly those posed by legal and political hurdles.
Electoral bonds, a financing instrument for political parties, have often been critiqued for the opacity they introduce into political funding. With Martin’s company being the largest purchaser of these bonds, questions arise about the motivations and implications of such massive contributions. While these bonds are meant to provide a legal channel for political donations, the magnitude and origin of these funds can sometimes blur the lines between legitimate support and undue influence.
The ongoing investigations by the ED and the CBI highlight the complexities involved in Martin’s business operations and their political entanglements. As these probes continue, they may unravel more about the financial mechanisms and the intricate web that Santiago Martin has spun over the years. His tale remains a compelling testament to the allure of dreams, the perils of ambition, and the often blurry line between success and controversy in the realm of political and business enterprises.
In summary, Santiago Martin, the “Lottery King,” stands as a vivid example of how high aspirations and controversial dealings can shape one’s journey through the socio-political landscape of India. His significant financial contributions to political causes via electoral bonds place him at a critical juncture, under the watchful eyes of legal authorities and the general public. As the investigations unfold, the coming months may reveal more about the intricate layers of Martin’s empire and his impact on India’s political and business arenas.
