Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels has confirmed an investigation into Adrian Portelli’s lottery business after a Murray Bridge mother was unable to claim a $3.5 million home she won.
“He has created an awful situation for the South Australian woman at the centre of this by allowing her to enter and then win this lottery, while knowing South Australians weren’t eligible because he didn’t have a licence to operate in our state,” Michaels said.
Michaels added that Portelli “knowingly took money from South Australians, knowing he wasn’t licensed to operate a lottery in SA” and said there is nothing stopping him from gifting the woman a house or something of equivalent value to compensate her.
Michaels confirmed that Consumer and Business Services will investigate the case further.
Portelli’s business, LMCT+, claims to operate as a loyalty rewards program offering discounts rather than a lottery, and he said he was unaware the winner lived in South Australia.
The Melbourne billionaire is also facing court over allegations of running multiple unlawful lotteries in the state.
Source: The Advertiser.
