PERSONAL INFORMATION
Other Name(s): • Lottery King [1] Hindustan Times • Lottery Martin [2] Business Today
Profession: Businessman
Famous for: Being the chairman and founder of the Martin Group of Companies
Date of Birth: Year, 1961
Age (as of 2024): 63 Years
Birthplace: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Religion: Christianity [3] Deccan Herald
Caste: OBC [4] Deccan Herald
Marriage Date: Year, 1987
Age: 63 Years
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PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 175 cm in meters – 1.75 m in feet & inches – 5’ 9”
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Leema Rose Martin (Director of the Martin Group of Companies)
Children: Son – Jose Charles Martin (director of the Martin Group of Companies) Daughter – Daisy Martin
Siblings: Brother – Tyson Martin (politician) Sister – Name Not Known
Wife: Leema Rose Martin
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Film (Producer): Ilaignan (2011)
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • 2000: ‘Best Lottery Professional Award’ by Public Gaming Research Institute (PGRI), USA • 2004: Gold medal for ‘Excellence in Business’ by the Foundation for Excellence in Business Practice, Geneva • Received Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from the ‘Yorker International University’, New York • Received Honorary Doctorate from Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano, Italy
OTHER INFORMATION
Other Relatives: Son-in-law – Aadhav Arjuna (Deputy General Secretary for Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi)
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Santiago Martin’s journey began at an incredibly young age when he started working as a laborer in Myanmar at just 13 years old. This early exposure to the world of hard work laid the foundation for his future endeavors. In the 1980s, seeking new opportunities, he relocated to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he moved in with his sister. It was here that he took his first steps into the entrepreneurial realm by working at a local tea stall. Observing the customers’ fascination with lottery tickets ignited a spark of inspiration within him, leading to a life-changing decision.
In 1987, driven by his newfound interest, Martin opened five lottery shops in Coimbatore. His keen sense of business and understanding of market demand allowed him to quickly rise to prominence, making him one of the largest lottery ticket sellers in Tamil Nadu. A mere year later, he expanded his operations by not just selling tickets but also printing them, launching his own lottery business. With several brands under his belt and offering higher prizes than his competitors, Martin solidified his position in the lottery industry, which was booming at the time.
However, in 2003, the landscape shifted dramatically when the lottery was banned in Tamil Nadu. Undeterred, Martin pivoted his business strategy and expanded into neighboring states such as Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala, and Maharashtra, as well as several northeastern states. His entrepreneurial spirit also took him beyond Indian borders, establishing his lottery business in Bhutan and Nepal, where he reportedly became the sole distributor of lottery tickets. His ventures eventually extended into various sectors, including online gaming, casinos, and sports betting, generating substantial employment opportunities across 13 states and marking his influence as a significant player in the industry.
Beyond his business pursuits, Martin has made notable contributions to the film industry, producing the Tamil film ‘Ilaignan’ in 2011, written by former chief minister M. Karunanidhi, though it did not achieve commercial success. His personal life also took a public turn when his wife, Leema, joined the Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi, rising to the position of state deputy general secretary during a tumultuous period for the family. Nevertheless, his philanthropic initiatives have defined much of his legacy. He founded the Martin Charitable Trust in 2001, focusing on healthcare support, food relief programs, and education for underprivileged communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the trust contributed significantly, donating Rs. 3 crores to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund and supporting disaster relief efforts across Tamil Nadu.
In recent years, Santiago Martin has continued to make headlines, with his company reportedly buying Rs. 1,368 crore in electoral bonds, reflecting his substantial financial influence. Additionally, he was appointed as the Consul General for the Republic of Liberia, where he played a crucial role in expanding the lottery industry to bolster the local economy. As the President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, he remains a pivotal figure in India’s lottery sector and is one of the highest-income taxpayers in the country. His investments in various sectors, including healthcare with Martin Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital, further underline his multifaceted contributions to society and the economy.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
