Billionaire bidder Adrian Portelli has denied allegations that he and his business, LMCT+, were involved in conducting unlawful lotteries in South Australia.
Last December, the 35-year-old Melbourne-based billionaire was hit with nine charges for personally conducting or assisting in the running of an unlawful lottery by South Australia‘s Consumer and Business Services.
Alongside charges against Portelli, his company, Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which runs under LMCT+, was also charged with 10 counts of the same offence.
South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services allege Portelli and his business did not hold a license when he conducted the lotteries in the state.
While he was not required to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 15, his lawyer Ben Lodge entered not-guilty pleas on behalf of Portelli and his business.
Per 9News, Lodge told Magistrate Luke Davis that there haven’t been any negotiations with the protection on the charges.
“We have had our discussions with our clients … and the matter is contested. We are keen to progress the matter to trial as quickly as we can,” Lodge said.
“We ask that these matters be listed for a pre-trial conference and our preference is that be listed today.”
The matters were adjourned for a pre-trial conference on March 6.
What is Adrian Portelli’s business LMCT+?
Portelli’s business, LMCT+, is a platform where punters can pay a monthly fee to access exclusive deals and giveaways.
From money to luxury cars to properties, you name it, they’ve given it away.
In South Australia, any trade promotion lotteries with a prize of more than $5,000 must be conducted with a license and entries must be free of charge.
“The major prize for the lottery was a property situated in Gisborne in the state of Victoria, as seen on the Australian television show The Block, or a cash prize of $3,000,000,” court documents state, per 9News.
However, it is alleged that winning the prize “involved an element of chance” but the defendant “did not hold a license to conduct the lottery in South Australia”.
The Block bidder and his business could face the potential maximum penalty of $190,000.
Shortly after the charges were laid against him and his company in December 2024, Portelli took the opportunity to respond publicly by promoting a giveaway in SA.
“It’s okay SA we still love you. Your gambling commissioner won’t allow you to win major life-changing prizes so I’ve decided to run exclusive, DAILY $1000 cash giveaways to you guys instead,” he wrote on Instagram.
Portelli rose to prominence through his appearances on The Block.
In 2024, which he said would be his final time on the beloved home renovation show, Portelli spent a total of $15.03 million by purchasing all five homes.
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