Santiago Martin: The ‘lottery king’ whose family spans three rival political parties

May 13, 2026 | 15:40 IST

His wife switched from IJK to AIADMK ahead of the assembly polls and won. His son launched his own party, won his seat, and allied with the BJP-ANRC in Puducherry. And his son-in-law shifted from DMK to VCK and later TVK, and is now a minister in Tamil Nadu

It is one of the most unusual electoral outcomes in recent politics: three members of the same family contested the recently concluded elections from three different political parties — and all three won.

All are related to Coimbatore-based Santiago Martin, widely known as India’s “lottery king”. For decades, Martin has been associated with two things: a sprawling lottery empire built through Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd, and political funding networks that cut across party lines.

TOI

TOI

Santiago Martin: The ‘lottery king’ whose family spans three rival political parties

His wife switched from IJK to AIADMK ahead of the assembly polls and won. His son launched his own party, won his seat, and allied with the BJP-ANRC in Puducherry. And his son-in-law shifted from DMK to VCK and later TVK, and is now a minister in Tamil Nadu

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TOI

Santiago Martin: The ‘lottery king’ whose family spans three rival political parties

His wife switched from IJK to AIADMK ahead of the assembly polls and won. His son launched his own party, won his seat, and allied with the BJP-ANRC in Puducherry. And his son-in-law shifted from DMK to VCK and later TVK, and is now a minister in Tamil Nadu

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