RECOGNITIONS:
- President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries.
- Best Lottery Professional award by PGRI (Public Gaming Research Institute), USA.
- Gold medal for Excellence in Business by the Foundation for Excellence in Business Practice, Geneva.
Mr. SANTIAGO MARTIN
Founder and Chairman, Martin Group of Companies
Mr. SANTIAGO MARTIN
Founder and Chairman, Martin Group of Companies
RECOGNITIONS:
- President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries.
- Best Lottery Professional award by PGRI (Public Gaming Research Institute), USA.
- Gold medal for Excellence in Business by the Foundation for Excellence in Business Practice, Geneva.
Mr. Santiago Martin is a trailblazer and visionary whose exceptional achievements have served as a powerful impetus, igniting the flames of ambition within countless enterprising individuals. A self-made entrepreneur, his journey from a modest Lottery Seller to India's biggest lottery Distributor, tells us an inspiring tale of resilience and fortitude. Hailed as ‘The Lottery King’ of India by both the media and industry insiders, Mr. Martin carved out an indelible imprint in the business world, transforming a humble venture into an awe-inspiring empire. His pioneering spirit and phenomenal growth over time serve as proof that dreams can indeed materialise when fuelled by relentless determination and enthusiasm for one's craft.
At the young age of 13, Mr. Martin embarked on a journey that can only be described as extraordinary. His family moved to multiple cities and eventually settled in Coimbatore, amidst hardships and uncertain times. The family’s economic woes forced him to drop out of school, and he immediately ventured into various odd jobs. In a twist of fate, Mr. Martin stumbled upon the lottery business, which would prove to be a turning point in his life. At a tender age, he began selling lottery tickets on the streets – hustling tirelessly from dawn till dusk just to make ends meet for his loved ones. Undeterred by obstacles along his path, Mr Martin utilised every opportunity to learn and grow within this industry. As years passed, he progressed from a ticket seller and managed to set up a small shop in the bustling heartland of Coimbatore. Over time he expanded his operations and established more shops as a Sub-Stockist and Stockist, across different regions. With every passing year came new milestones, as Mr. Martin rapidly ascended the ranks of success within the competitive lottery industry, eventually becoming a Regional Distributor. At times tested by both luck and resilience and his ability to adapt to changing market conditions, Mr. Martin rose through sheer meritocracy, solidifying his position as India's Biggest Lottery Distributor today.
Being the major Government Lottery Distributor in Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, West Bengal and Maharashtra, Mr. Martin exemplifies the true essence of entrepreneurial spirit. With relentless dedication and visionary leadership, he transformed ‘Dear Government Lottery’ into a synonym for success, taking it to unimaginable heights. His innovative strategies introduced this lottery to millions of people, turning it into one of the leading players in the industry - generating an astounding turnover surpassing INR 22,900 Crores per annum for the financial year 22-23.
Recognising that trust was the foundation of any successful venture, Mr. Martin came up with an out-of-the-box solution to ensure customer faith. In a first-of-its-kind move in India's lottery industry, Mr. Martin launched a Satellite TV Channel exclusively dedicated to live broadcasting the lottery draws – allowing every citizen to witness firsthand how the winner's selection process was conducted with unblemished integrity. This endeavour solidified customer faith in lotteries as they could now see transparency and fairness at its core. Soon after, the channel also played multi-lingual songs in between these lottery draws, turning it into a bigger entertaining experience for viewers. This seemingly small step eventually evolved into the popular media channel, now known as ‘SS Music’, cherished by millions across India.
In addition to the successful lottery business, Mr. Martin has boldly navigated the world of business through strategic expansion and built a diverse portfolio that spans leading industries including, Real Estate, Construction, Finance, Alternative energy, Hospitality, Textiles & Yarn, Agro and Media Firms. Each venture within the impressive roster seamlessly intertwines to form the prestigious, ‘Martin Group’ - a multifarious conglomerate that sets the benchmark for modern-day business practices.
Mr. Martin's illustrious journey in business is a long-spanning one that has been dotted with numerous achievements and awards. In 2003, he made history by paying a whopping INR 100 Crores annually in taxes alone, making him ‘India's Highest Individual Tax Payer’ for that year. This remarkable feat was just the beginning as he continues to remain one of the highest taxpayers every year to date, contributing significantly and consistently to the Indian economy.
In addition to his impact on India's economy, Mr. Martin took on another significant role in 2005 when he became ‘President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries’. This esteemed position grants him immense responsibility as he leads efforts towards fostering transparency and trustworthiness within India's lottery industry—an organisation dedicated to shaping a future where integrity reigns supreme.
Mr. Martin's unwavering commitment to progress shines through his pragmatic approach and deep understanding of the pulse of the market. With an acute sense of awareness, he remains in touch with the grassroots of businesses, fully immersed in their day-to-day operations. His schedule revolves around meeting with various stockists, dealers and shop owners, forging strong connections and gaining valuable insights into their operations. By immersing himself in the intricacies of each business under his purview, Mr. Martin flawlessly aligns their goals with overarching objectives while fostering a sense of purpose among the Group’s thousands of employees.
Mr. Martin's belief in the transformative power of CSR stems from his profound understanding that ethical corporate behaviour is not only crucial for long-term success but also essential for the Group's moral path, fostering a culture that not only prioritises profit but also embraces social justice and environmental stewardship as core values. Through meticulously designed programs focused on giving back to communities and advocating accessible education, Mr. Martin continually motivates his colleagues to embrace their roles as responsible citizens and positively impact society as a whole. With the establishment of Martin Homeopathy College and his philanthropic endeavours via the Martin Foundation, Mr. Martin demonstrated his unwavering commitment to education and social welfare by generously donating resources where they are needed most.
To date, Companies headed by Mr. Martin have contributed more than Rs 100 Crores/- towards diverse CSR activities that make positive differences in countless lives throughout society.
Mr. Santiago Martin’s Notable CSR Initiatives:
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Corona Relief - INR 11 Crores
Through the challenging times brought by the pandemic, Mr. Martin spearheaded the Corona Relief program, providing much-needed support to vulnerable communities affected by this unfortunate health crisis. The program offered free nutritious meal distribution to more than 5,000 needy people in and around Coimbatore city each day, benefitting at least 50,000 people. In addition to the daily necessities, medical equipment including 100 units of Oxygen Concentrators, Rs 1.25 Crores worth of life-saving medicines, 400 nos. 50-litre oxygen cylinders, Oximeters-1000 nos., N-95 Mask- 12500 nos., Hand sanitisers - 10000 nos. and many more emergency requirements were fulfilled.
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Government School Adoption - INR 7 Crores
Acknowledging the importance of education in transforming lives, Mr. Martin has adopted the "Corporation Middle School, Housing Unit Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore". Ensuring access to quality education for underprivileged children across the community, the donation serves to upgrade infrastructure development, including 8 new Smart Classrooms, a Science Lab, a Library, a Multi-Purpose Play Area, a Kitchen, a Dining area, a new Anganwadi Block and new Restrooms with accessibility to the disabled. The project also renovated the Primary & Elementary Class Block along with the Staff Block.
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Gaja Cyclone Fund - INR 5 Crores
In the face of natural calamities, such as the devastating Gaja Cyclones, Mr. Martin extended his support and contributed relief materials, helping affected individuals rebuild their lives amidst adversity.
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Health Center at Tiruvadanai - INR 4 Crores
Through this initiative, Mr. Martin established a modern Health Center which includes, a diagnostic and a subsidised pharmacy that is accessible to all in Ramanathapuram district, Thiruvadanai.
*For more CSR information visit
Trusted by businesses far and wide, Mr. Martin embodies professionalism, navigating through the intricate pathways of commerce, with astute precision. His strategic foresight seamlessly charts new territories while preserving stability within existing markets. Mr. Martin’s invaluable contributions have not only garnered respect from industry leaders but have also ignited admiration within the society. The alchemy between his deep-rooted knowledge and innovative thinking sets him apart as an influential figure and a pioneer whose impact shall resonate for generations to come.