In a dramatic twist of fate, a South Australian woman experienced both the euphoria of winning a multi-million dollar property and the crushing disappointment of having it revoked, only to receive an extraordinary consolation prize from the billionaire organiser himself.
The Winning Moment Turns Sour
Adrian Portelli, known widely as 'Lambo Guy' for his impressive collection of luxury sports cars, personally delivered the devastating news to the winner, identified only as Donna. The South Australian resident had entered the LCMT+ lottery draw and emerged victorious, winning a spectacular £2.8 million renovated mansion that previously featured on the Australian renovation series The Block.
The Phillip Island property in Victoria had been purchased by Portelli during The Block's 2024 auction before being offered as the grand prize in his lottery. Donna had secured her entry by purchasing a 'bronze package' through LCMT+, which provides retail discounts alongside lottery entries.
Legal Hurdles and a Generous Gesture
The celebration was tragically short-lived. Portelli explained in a video statement that despite being permitted to enter the competition, Donna was ineligible to claim the major prize due to South Australia's strict gambling regulations.
"Donna sorry to say, you're not eligible," Portelli stated, describing the winner as "devastated" upon receiving the news. He confirmed that the £2.8 million property would need to be redrawn to comply with local laws.
However, in an unexpected act of generosity, the billionaire decided to personally intervene. "I just wanted to call you right, because yes, we can't give you the prize, but I just wanted to personally myself give you £80,000," Portelli told Donna. "It's a gift from me to you."
Ongoing Regulatory Challenges
Portelli didn't shy away from criticising the regulatory landscape that created this unfortunate situation. He squarely placed blame on South Australia's gambling laws, which have created complications for his company's operations.
"It's absolute nonsense that she cannot win a prize," he expressed to his followers. "We must abide by these rules, and we have to redraw the prize."
The billionaire revealed that his company has been addressing this regulatory hurdle by running a £800 daily giveaway exclusively for South Australian residents while seeking a permanent solution. "We draw out a South Australian and we give them £800, which we have been doing every single day," he explained.
This isn't Portelli's first encounter with regulatory challenges in South Australia. Earlier this year, he appeared in a South Australian court facing accusations of running an unlicensed lottery. His company maintains compliance with gaming regulations across other Australian states, attributing the South Australian paperwork lapse to "miscommunication" with regulators.
Despite the legal complexities surrounding the voided prize, Portelli's personal gesture of £80,000 ensures that Donna's lottery "win" still provides life-changing funds, even if she won't be moving into the luxurious Block mansion she briefly believed was hers.
