Why is Adrian Portelli facing unlawful lottery charges in SA?

Melbourne businessman Adrian Portelli, also known as 'Lambo Guy', has risen to prominence alongside television series The Block — but now he and his company are facing accusations of running an unlawful lottery in South Australia.

Mr Portelli first appeared on The Block during the auctions of the 2022 season of the show when he pulled up in a yellow Lamborghini, earning his nickname.

He has bought several properties from The Block across subsequent seasons, including all five of the luxury homes built on Phillip Island in Victoria in this year's season.

But last week it was revealed the 35-year-old and his company, Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, have been charged with multiple counts of conducting an unlawful lottery in South Australia between 2023 and 2024.

Mr Portelli has been charged with nine offences and the company with 10, with Xclusive Tech charged over several lotteries that offered properties from The Block as a major prize.

Here’s what we know.

Who is Adrian Portelli?

Mr Portelli told the Frankie Lee Podcast he used to work in his father's truck repair business but his first foray into business ownership was selling arts and craft at markets when he was 18 years old.

He told the podcast he started a chauffeur service in the United States in his mid-20s before returning to Australia.

Mr Portelli founded LMCT+, which is short for Licensed Motor Car Trader, in 2018.

Court documents filed in the Adelaide Magistrates Court alleged LMCT+ is where "the public can sign up to monthly and/or annual 'subscriptions' to access discounts for Australian retailers".

It further alleges the subscription includes "entry or multiple entries into the member giveaways facilitated by" his company on the LMCT+ website.

Apart from LMCT+, Mr Portelli also has other business ventures including in energy drinks and pre-mix alcohol.

Mr Portelli has a prominent social media presence where he shares his business, his family and his growing fleet of luxury vehicles to his 436,000 followers on Instagram and 140,000 on TikTok.

In 2023, he had his multi-million-dollar McLaren car craned into his Melbourne penthouse.

What is Adrian Portelli charged with?

Mr Portelli has been charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery, while his business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd has been charged with 10 counts of the same offence. 

South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services (CBS) commenced the proceedings, alleging the offending occurred between January 29, 2023 and May 16, 2024.

Court documents show CBS will allege Mr Portelli’s business did not hold a licence to conduct the lotteries in South Australia, which were open to its residents. 

Xclusive Tech has been charged over several lotteries that offered properties from The Block as a major prize, with one count relating to a giveaway in which the winner could allegedly choose between a property located at Gisborne in Victoria, or a $3 million cash prize. 

"The major prize for the lottery was a property situated in in the State of Victoria as seen on the television show called ‘The Block’ valued at or about $2,900,000 or a cash prize of $3,000,000," the document states, referring to a separate count. 

What happens next?

Co-chair of the Criminal Law Committee, Craig Caldicott, told ABC Radio Adelaide licences are required for trade promotion lotteries.

"If you're not licensed to do it, you've committed an offence," Mr Caldicott said. 

Mr Caldicott said if Mr Portelli is found to be guilty of the alleged offences, he may be liable to pay $5,000 for each lottery ticket he sold.

"Theoretically, for every ticket you sell you may well receive a $5,000 fine for each of them, which if you've sold 10,000 of them, is a significant penalty," he said. 

Mr Portelli is due to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 15.

The ABC has reached out to Mr Portelli for comment.

In a social media post on Friday, his business LMCT+ spruiked a separate membership-based giveaway for South Australians.

"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," the post read.