The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the list of those who purchased electoral bonds.
After the rebuke of the Supreme Court, SBI i.e. State Bank of India had given the information about purchasing the bonds to the Commission.
The special thing is that the name of the company that has donated the most in this list is Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited.
This company, which once faced the heat of investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has donated more than Rs 1 thousand crore. This company is run by Santiago Martin, who is also known as ‘Lottery King’.
Who is santiago martin
The Hindustan Times report quoted the website of Martin’s charitable trust as saying that he started working as a laborer in Yangon, Myanmar.
After this, in the year 1988, he returned to India and started lottery business in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. After this he moved to Karnataka and Kerala and then reached the North-East.
In the North-East he started working on government lottery schemes. After this he expanded the work outside India to Bhutan and Nepal.
Apart from lotteries, Santiago also expanded into sectors such as construction, real estate, textiles and hospitality.
According to the report, the website states, ‘He is also the President of All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries. This organization works to improve the lottery business and increase credibility in India.
Under his leadership, Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. Became a member of the World Lottery Association and is expanding into online gaming and casino and sports betting.
how much was donated
Statistics show that this company has donated Rs 1368 crore between the years 2019 and 2024. Since 2019, ED i.e. Enforcement Directorate has been investigating the company on allegations of violation of PMLA law.
In May 2023, a raid was also conducted at the company’s Coimbatore and Chennai locations.
What is Future Gaming and Hotel Services?
Started in the year 1991, this company was earlier known as Martin Lottery Agencies Limited. There are reports that Martin started lottery business at the age of 13.
The special thing is that Future Gaming was the first lottery company in India, which used to telecast live draws conducted by different governments.
The company is also a member of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA). Future Gaming is also a part of the World Lottery Association since 2001.