The History and Origin of Satta Matka

To truly appreciate sattamatka you’ve got to go back in time—to post-independence India. The origins of the game can be traced back to the 1950s, when it wasn’t even related to number betting. Originally, it began as a form of speculative betting on the opening and closing rates of cotton as transmitted from the New York Cotton Exchange to the Bombay Cotton Exchange indian matka

This version was simple: bettors would wager on what they believed the rates would be. As this system faded in the 1960s, participants adapted and invented a new game using numbers. This marked the transition to what we now call Satta Matka.

Enter Ratan Khatri, the legendary figure often dubbed the “Matka King.” He revolutionized the game by establishing a format where numbers would be drawn from a large pot—an actual matka. The numbers were scribbled on paper chits and drawn out at a scheduled time. The results were then distributed via informal yet widespread networks of bookies, shops, and later newspapers.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Satta Matka witnessed a golden era. At its peak, the industry was said to be worth crores of rupees daily. Mumbai became the epicenter of this craze, with thousands involved, from slum dwellers to businessmen.

But this golden age also attracted unwanted attention. With the rise of crime and involvement of the underworld, law enforcement began a crackdown. Many Matka dens were shut down, and prominent figures either went underground or retired.

Despite the crackdown, the game never really died. It simply adapted—moving from alleyways to mobile phones, and now, online portals. Though the format may have evolved, the roots remain as strong as ever, deeply entwined in India’s socio-economic fabric.