Adrian Portelli's business fined $40k for running unlawful lotteries in SA
Adrian Portelli was charged with unlawful lottery offences in 2024. (Instagram: lmctplus)
In short:
Adrian Portelli has been found not guilty of nine charges relating to running illegal lotteries in South Australia in 2023 and 2024.
However, his company Xclusive Tech has been found guilty of 10 charges.
What's next?
The company has been fined $40,000.
Australian entrepreneur Adrian Portelli has been found not guilty of unlawfully running illegal lotteries, while the company he founded, Xclusive Tech trading as LMCT+, has been found guilty on all charges and fined tens of thousands of dollars.
The billionaire was facing nine charges, while his company was found guilty on all 10 charges of conducting or assisting in an unlawful lottery.
Mr Portelli did not appear in the Adelaide Magistrate Court when the findings were handed down on Friday, but the company was fined $40,000.
Magistrate Melanie Burton said the lotteries were conducted nationally and there was a lower proportion of South Australia entrants.
She said the lotteries were conducted from January 2023 to May 2024.
In South Australia, lotteries must hold an approved license so that the public is protected from fraudulent or exploitative activities.
Lotteries prizes included The Block homes
The court previously heard that the lotteries had prizes, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, prestigious cars and homes Mr Portelli purchased on the television show The Block.
The company's website has a one-time payment for entries into competitions, ranging from one entry for $10 to 500 entries for $500.
Melbourne property investor Adrian Portelli (centre) at court in September 2025. (ABC News: James Wakelin)
In her submission to the court, Liquor and Gambling Commission prosecutor Stephanie Wilson said the company had been warned that its behaviour was unlawful and instead of complying, the company ignored the instructions and accused it of "deliberately flouting" SA laws.
She said there was significant prize money and properties involved in the draw, with "no oversight".
She also added that the purpose of the lottery act was to ensure lotteries were held in a fair and honest way.
Defence lawyer Ben Lodge said there was no suggestion the lotteries were fraudulent.
He said the business was entirely legitimate and offered "life changing prizes", saying it was not a business that was taking advantage of consumers.
Melbourne business owner Adrian Portelli is known for appearing on The Block. (Instagram: lmctplus)
He also added that the company was granted a license from the NSW regulator.
Magistrate Burton said there must be consequences and highlighted that it was a commercial enterprise and "not a charity".
She said it was the first offence for the company and described it as on the low to medium scale of severity.
She said there were no issues that the defendant couldn't pay.