Ratan Khatri
Ratan Khatri (c.
Ratan Khatri (c. 1932 – 9 May 2020) was an Indian gambling kingpin and film producer, widely known as the “Matka King” for popularising matka betting in Mumbai.
Who he was
Khatri was a Sindhi Hindu born in Karachi who moved to Mumbai after the Partition of 1947. He became a major figure in the city's underground matka gambling scene, earning the nickname Matka King for turning the game into an organised, highly profitable betting network.
Key details
He is credited with expanding matka betting from a small-scale pastime into a large underground industry. Some sources also mention him as a film producer, though his gambling career is far better documented. By the 1990s, his involvement in matka reportedly declined.
Later life and legacy
Khatri died on 9 May 2020 in South Mumbai after a reported cardiac arrest or stroke-related illness. He remains a notable figure in accounts of Mumbai's betting history, and his life has inspired fictional or dramatized depictions of the matka world.
In short
- Ratan Khatri was the “Matka King” of Mumbai's underground betting scene.
- He was a Sindhi Hindu migrant from Karachi who moved to India after Partition.
- He died on 9 May 2020 at age 88.
- His gambling career is far better documented than his work as a film producer.
Quick questions
Who was Ratan Khatri?
Why was Ratan Khatri called the Matka King?
When did Ratan Khatri die?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratan_KhatriSupports: Birth and death dates, identification as gambling kingpin and Matka King, and brief biographical overview.
- The Indian Express — https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/matka-king-rattan-khatri-dead-6411349/Supports: Death report, nickname Matka King, and his role in spreading matka gambling.
- The Indian Express — https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-ratan-khatri-the-matka-king-dies-at-88-6405531/Supports: Background as a Sindhi migrant from Karachi, matka career, and reported daily turnover of his gambling operation.