Santiago Martin, a prominent figure in the lottery industry, has been involved in the business for over three decades. Starting at just 13, he established a vast marketing network of buyers and sellers across India. His empire has grown significantly, with multiple branches including Martin Karnataka Lottery, Martin Sikkim Lottery, West Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra. Martin is now considered the “Lottery King” of India, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 109%. With over 1,000 dedicated staff and 260 stockists in all lottery-playing states, his enterprise has become a community that benefits millions dependent on the industry for livelihood.
His passion for technology-driven enterprises and his quest for fresh investments have allowed him to diversify into multiple business ventures. Martin’s group of companies includes Martin Myanmar and Martin Yangon, which offer services in real estate, construction, textiles, and yarn. His desire to create employment opportunities is an inner motivation for his development of the lottery business. In May 2023, the Enforcement Directorate conducted search operations at the residential premises of Santiago Martin and others of Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt Ltd in Chennai and Coimbatore under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.
During the searches, movable/immovable properties worth around ₹457 crore were seized or frozen. Martin is believed to be politically close to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a Dalit grouping part of the DMK-led alliance. His son-in-law, Adhav Arjuna, was inducted into the party in February. Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR, managed by lottery magnate Santiago Martin, is the largest donor to political parties for the period April 12, 2019 to January 24, 2024. The firm donated a cumulative sum of ₹1,368 crore in electoral bonds during this period.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released electoral bonds data in two sets, showing that twenty-two firms donated more than ₹100 crore during this period. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) was second in terms of total donations, followed by Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, Haldia Energy Limited, Vedanta Limited, Essel Mining and Industries Limited, Bharti Airtel Limited, Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd., and MKJ group of companies.