The Election Commission of India (ECI), today revealed the details of electoral bonds, as reported by the State Bank of India (SBI), on its website. This disclosure has brought several complex details to light, with Santiago Martin’s involvement standing out prominently.
Santiago Martin, who founded ‘Future Gaming and Hotel Services’, began his career as a laborer in Myanmar before gaining fame as the ‘Lottery King’. According to the information on the ECI website, from April 2019 to January 2024, Martin’s company emerged as the leading purchaser of electoral bonds, acquiring bonds valued at Rs 1,368 crore.
WHO IS SANTIAGO MARTIN?
Santiago Martin, who founded and chairs the Martin Group of Companies, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in the lottery sector from a young age, earning the moniker ‘Lottery King’ in India due to his leadership, innovative approaches, and effective marketing strategies. Before venturing into the lottery business, he worked as a laborer in Yangon, Myanmar.
In 2004, his business acumen was recognized with a gold medal for Excellence in Business by the Geneva-based Foundation for Excellence in Business Practice. Martin has also been noted as one of India’s highest individual taxpayers, contributing as much as Rs 1 billion annually in taxes.
The Martin Group of Companies, under Santiago Martin’s leadership, extends its operations beyond lottery tickets to encompass a variety of sectors including Real Estate, Construction, Hospitality, Software and Technology, Building Materials, and several others.
Additionally, Martin holds the presidency of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, an entity committed to the enhancement and legitimization of the lottery industry in India.
The company’s website highlights his role in steering Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. to become a respected member of the World Lottery Association. Under his guidance, the company is diversifying into Online Gaming & Casinos and Sports Betting.
Which political parties got the most donations:
The Election Commission of India released data showing the BJP, TMC, and Congress as the main beneficiaries of electoral bonds. This information comes from the State Bank of India, following a Supreme Court mandate.
Contribution amounts through electoral bonds:
– BJP: Over ₹6,061 crore
– TMC: ₹1,610 crore
– Congress: ₹1,422 crore
– Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received ₹1,215 crore.
– Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was funded with ₹776 crore.
Other political parties that received funds through electoral bonds include:
– All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
– Shiv Sena
– Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
– Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSR Congress)
– Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
– Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS)
– Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
– Janata Dal (United) (JDU)
– Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
– Samajwadi Party (SP)
– Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
