Satta or Matka King has become a popular yet controversial gambling game sweeping across India over the last few decades. While banned under law, the underground 'lottery' has lured in millions with dreams of striking it big but delivered shattering losses for most.
Originating in the 1950s when people would bet on opening and closing rates of cotton shipped to the New York Cotton Exchange, it evolved into number gambling on outcomes ranging from cricket matches to Bollywood awards. The winning digits that leak out determine who hits the elusive jackpot in this game of chance and ephemeral luck.
How Satta King is Played
Bets revolve around numbers from 00 to 99 with 9 being the highest single-digit number and the most coveted. Every day, random digits are drawn that dictate the winning and losing numbers usually based on opening stock prices. Punters place money on one or more hoped numbers with Khaiwal - the bookie. If they guess correctly, the returns can spin fortunes but one wrong pick spins losses as well in this high-risk, high-reward 'lottery'.
The lure is people can bet with small amounts too - Rs 100, 500 or 1000 - adding to its addictive appeal for the masses. Six popular versions of the game exist - Gali, Desawar, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Mumbai Chart and Delhi Darbar. Each Satta king has designated operators and winning chances across their range of number draws regularly carried out in secret.
Why Satta Matka Flourishes Despite Ban
In 1961, soon after Satta King caught wind, the Indian government banned the lottery, deeming it hazardous. However, continuing popular demand and alluring profits have kept the betting ring thriving in the nation's urban underbelly. Weak legislation penalties and enforcement often enable this unlawful industry marked by bribes and political nexus to escape crackdowns by law authorities.
Accessibility offline through local agents or even openly through online apps and websites have narrowed the divide between the traditional Matka dons and the punters today spanning educated techies to daily wager workers. Unorganized and overlooked, the Satta empire now reportedly feeds over INR 500 crore into channels outside legal accounting as the lure of luck and leisure overshadow the risks for many indulging minds
