The Election Commission on Thursday uploaded data it has received from the State Bank of India (SBI) on electoral bonds, which allowed individuals and companies to make donations to political parties. Coimbatore-based Future Gaming is the biggest donor of electoral bonds, according to the data disclosed on the orders of the Supreme Court.
The Future Gaming and Hotel Services donated Rs 1,368 crore in electoral bonds to political parties between April 12, 2019 and January 24, 2024.
Here is all you need to know about Future Gaming and Hotel Services
Founded in 1991, Future Gaming and Hotel Services was earlier known as Martin Lottery Agencies Limited. It is owned by Santiago Martin, known as the 'Lottery King' of India.
According to the firm's website, Mr Martin started out in the lottery business at the age of 13, when "he had managed to develop and secure a vast marketing network of the buyers and sellers of lotteries all over India".
Future Gaming was the first lottery company in India to facilitate the live telecast on TV of the draws conducted by various governments for lotteries distributed through them.
Future Gaming is a member of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA). Since 2001, Future Gaming has been a member of the World Lottery Association (WLA). In 2009, WLA granted accreditation to Future Gaming for meeting the criteria for Level 1 of the "WLA Responsible Gaming Framework".
According to Future's website, Martin was also the Consul General for Liberia, where he also set up a lottery industry.
He is also the president of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, a lobby of lottery distributors, stockists and agents.
Enforcement Directorate Raids
The firm has also been under the lens of the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department.
On July 23, 2019, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth Rs 250 crore in an alleged money laundering scam.
In 2019, Income Tax Department officials raided 70 premises linked to Mr Martin across India.
On April 2, 2022, the probe agency attached movable assets worth Rs 409.92 crore in the case. Five days later, Future Gaming bought Rs 100 crore in electoral bonds, according to an Indian Express report.
Santiago Martin was arrested in 2012 and detained in Vellore prison for alleged illegal activities.
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