'Lambo Guy' Adrian Portelli sues former minister over lottery comments

Billionaire Adrian Portelli, widely known as 'Lambo Guy,' has initiated defamation proceedings against former South Australian minister Andrea Michaels. The lawsuit centers on comments Michaels made last year concerning Portelli's lottery business, LMCT+, and a prize draw that included homes from the TV show 'The Block.'

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awful

The controversy arose when a South Australian woman won a $3.5 million house through the LMCT+ lottery. However, due to South Australia's strict gaming laws, residents are legally barred from winning prize draws, despite being able to access membership benefits like discounts. This situation led to Michaels, then minister for consumer and business affairs, publicly describing the woman's predicament as "awful" and "terrible."

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terrible

In statements to the press, Michaels was quoted as saying the business had "knowingly taken money from South Australians, knowing he wasn't licensed to operate a lottery in SA." She further alleged that Portelli had "created an awful situation" by allowing the woman to enter and win a lottery for which South Australians were ineligible because he lacked the proper license.

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knowingly taken money from South Australians, knowing he wasn't licensed to operate a lottery in SA

Portelli's legal team argues that Michaels' comments defamed him, implying he defrauds the public and operates as a con man. The lawsuit claims these statements have caused serious harm to his reputation and professional identity, leading to instances of reputational damage cited in social media and even death threats. The case had its first hearing in the South Australian Supreme Court on Friday.

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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. It's terrible.