There is no single owner of Satta Matka. Instead, the game is run by multiple individuals and groups known as Matka Kings, operators, or bookies, who manage different markets and regions. Historically, the game was founded and made popular by Ratan Khatri, a legendary figure often referred to as the “Matka King.” He is widely credited for organizing the game into a more structured format in the 1960s and 1970s.
Ratan Khatri operated from Mumbai and introduced a system that involved drawing numbers from a matka (a traditional clay pot), which is where the game gets its name. While Khatri is often remembered as the father of modern Satta Matka, he retired from the game long ago and passed away in 2020. His departure left a power vacuum that led to the rise of numerous smaller operators.
Today, Satta Matka is decentralized. Each market (such as Kalyan, Milan, Rajdhani, Main Mumbai, etc.) may have its own controlling figures or groups. These people remain anonymous and operate behind the scenes to avoid legal consequences. They are responsible for setting the numbers, collecting bets, and paying out winners. The structure is more like a network of syndicates than a company with a CEO or owner.