In a dramatic turn of events, a South Australian woman experienced the extreme highs and lows of a multi-million dollar lottery, ultimately receiving a significant cash gift from the billionaire organiser after being ruled ineligible for the main prize.
From Elation to Disappointment
Donna, a resident of Murray Bridge, initially believed she had won the jackpot. Last week, her entry was drawn as the winner of a stunning $3.5 million renovated mansion from Adrian Portelli’s LCMT+ lottery. The property was featured on the popular reality television show, The Block.
However, the celebration was short-lived. It was soon discovered that Donna could not legally claim the grand prize. LCMT+ does not hold the necessary licence to award major lottery prizes in South Australia due to the state's strict gambling regulations. This crucial detail is outlined in the company's terms and conditions, which participants must agree to when purchasing tickets.
A Personal Gesture from a Billionaire
On Tuesday, in an unexpected and generous move, billionaire Adrian Portelli decided to intervene personally. He contacted Donna and gifted her $100,000 as a personal present, an act completely separate from the LCMT+ lottery.
During a phone call, a shocked Donna immediately questioned the legality of the gesture, asking, "Oh my god, are you allowed to do that?"
Portelli reassured her, stating, "It's a gift from me to you." The substantial sum matches the amount of a separate cash giveaway run by LCMT+ the previous week. This personal act of kindness stood in stark contrast to the previous week's difficult call, where Portelli had to inform Donna she could not receive the mansion.
The Aftermath and Ongoing Situation
The situation has highlighted a peculiar loophole in the system. While South Australians are not eligible for LCMT+'s major prizes, there is no geographical block preventing them from buying tickets. This means residents can still enter, often unaware of the fine print that restricts their eligibility to the platform's daily $1,000 giveaways.
Portelli confirmed to 7NEWS that Donna was aware of the exemption and was "devastated" by the initial outcome. The $3.5 million mansion will now be redrawn for a new, eligible winner.
Expressing his frustration with the regulations, Portelli stated, "It’s absolute nonsense that she cannot win a prize. We must abide by these rules, and we have to redraw the prize." He also mentioned that until a solution is found with the South Australian government, his company will continue its daily $1,000 giveaway exclusively for residents of the state.
