‘Lambo man’ Adrian Portelli named as one of the richest people in Australia: this is how he made his money

A self-made billionaire from Melbourne’s western suburbs has been named as one of Australia’s richest people.

Businessman and luxury car enthusiast Adrian Portelli, also known as the ‘Lambo Guy’, has risen to number 115 on The List – Australia’s richest 250, with an estimated fortune of $1.3 billion made from his promotional company LMCT+.

The lottery company offers its members lavish prizes, including luxury homes, cars and cash in monthly prize draws, through a legal loophole.

Subscribers also receive exclusive offers from more than 1,000 partners, such as Beaurepaires, Patriot Campers and Prestige Autoworks.

It has about 100,000 customers who pay a monthly subscription.

LMCT+ operates as a ‘trade promotion’ – a type of lottery originally designed to help businesses attract customers by rewarding them with prizes – under a license issued in NSW.

Mr Portelli has also made several appearances on the Channel Nine show The Block, where he buys houses to give away to his LMCT+ members.

According to the Rich List, Adrian Portelli is estimated to be worth $1.3 billion by 2024

LMCT+ is best known for its high-profile giveaways, which it exploits as a ‘trade promotion’ (pictured, Portelli (second from left) declares a lucky winner after an LMCT+ lottery draw)

Mr Portelli’s $1.3 billion fortune has also been made from his assets, with the businessman having a particular penchant for fast cars and expensive properties.

He made headlines last May after using a crane to lift his $2 million Maclaren hypercar to his $39 million penthouse on Melbourne’s Southbank.

‘A first look at the McLaren Senna GTR 57, one floor up. Thank you to everyone involved for making this absolutely surreal moment possible,” he wrote online.

The Rich Lister previously admitted he has lost count of the number of rare, limited edition sports cars he owns, but believes there are fewer than 50.

The millionaire investor’s extensive property portfolio also includes Melbourne’s most expensive apartment: a $39 million penthouse in the city.

However, he insisted he only wanted to use it as a ‘weekend’.

Portelli made headlines last May after using a crane to lift his $2 million Maclaren hypercar (pictured) to his $39 million penthouse on Melbourne’s Southbank

The Rich Lister previously admitted he has lost count of the number of rare, limited edition sports cars he owns, but believes it is fewer than 50.

“I’m always humble because it wasn’t easy where I ended up,” Portelli told the Australian Financial Review last October

Despite his bold tastes, Mr. Portelli came from humble beginnings.

He left college to work at his father’s truck repair company before moving to Los Angeles to set up a limousine service for celebrities.

While struggling to pay the rent, he found a roommate online who helped him develop several successful apps, which he later sold.

“I’m always humble because it wasn’t easy where I ended up,” Portelli told the Australian Financial Review last October.

‘Every day I woke up thinking I was successful. I was just consumed by it. I was just a bit of a loner, mate, and motivated myself and just kept going.”

Earlier this year, Portelli welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend Karlie Butler.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart topped the list of Australia’s richest people in 2024, followed by former mining couple Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

Also on the list for the first time is Edward Craven, 28, Australia’s youngest billionaire

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart (left) topped the list of Australia’s richest people in 2024, followed by former mining couple Andrew (right) and Nicola Forrest

They were followed by Visy chief executive Anthony Pratt, Meriton hotels managing director Harry Truguboff, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farrquhar of Atlassian, Clive Palmer, Kerry Stokes and Cliff Obrecht of Canva.

Also on the list is Edward Craven, Australia’s youngest billionaire.

The 28-year-old cryptocurrency investor is the co-founder of online casino website Stake.com and livestreaming platform Kick.

Lithium mining entrepreneur Nick Wakim and Chemist Warehouse billionaires Jack and Sam Gance also made the list for the first time in 2024.