Car giveaway business LMCT+ under investigation – report

A multi-million dollar syndicate which promotes the give-away of expensive cars and other prizes is allegedly under investigation by state gambling authorities, it has been revealed.

According to a report from Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) and South Australia's Consumer and Business Services (CBS) have confirmed LMCT+ is under investigation following complaints made about the company.

Drive has also contacted the CBS and VGCCC independently to verify the report, with both organisations confirming there are active investigations underway into LMCT+.

LMCT+ classifies itself as a "rewards club", which provides access to discounts across more than 700 other businesses based on a monthly membership fee.

However, it is best known for its monthly member giveaways of luxury and exotic cars – promoted via social media – as well as houses and cash prizes.

Created by Adrian Portelli and Troy Williams in 2018, LMCT+ is able to operate using a 'trade promotion' provision – as defined by state gambling authorities – which allows for prizes to be given away.

In many cases, companies wanting to raise money by offering a raffle or lottery would typically be required to obtain and abide by state-issued raffle or lottery permits.

By offering monthly memberships – which start at $19.99 and go up to $99.99 per month – the business is able to include 'free' entries for its giveaways, which would normally be capped at $1 per entry according to Victorian authorities.

LMCT+ claims to have given away more than $25 million in prizes, which includes a daily 'Members Draw' of $1000.

It's claimed LMCT+ turns over $60 million in revenue annually.

According to the report by the Herald Sun newspaper, the NSW Office of Fair Trading investigated LMCT+ last year but it reportedly found no evidence of LMCT+ breaking the law.

“We change everything, get rid of the word raffle from everywhere,” Mr Portelli said in a video posted online, according to the Herald Sun.

“And it’s not a loophole but yeah, it’s a legal way to give away a car.

“And that’s how the whole industry started.”

The company has spawned dozens of other similar car giveaways operating under the 'trade promotion' exemption – some specialising in modified performance cars and four-wheel-drives, while others offer rare Japanese supercars.

Adrian Portelli, also known as 'Lambo Guy', is perhaps best known for craning a McLaren Senna GTR up to his $39 million penthouse on the 57th floor of a luxury Melbourne apartment block in April 2023.

Troy Williams, who sources and modifies prize vehicles for LMCT+, shot to prominence with his business Eye Candy Motorsports in Melbourne's southeast, where he offered cosmetic modification services for cars.

Mr Portelli's business has been known to purchase some of Australia's most valuable muscle cars at auction in order for them to be given away to its members – however, it's understood many choose the cash equivalent rather than the vehicle being given away.

In an interview with Drive in May 2021, Mr Portelli said: “In 100 per cent of cases they’ve taken the cash”.

While Mr Portelli is understood to have denied any wrongdoing, anti-gambling activists are calling for the "loophole" to be closed.