Billionaire Adrian Portelli to give away $140k in gift cards in Qld

The Australian billionaire known as ‘Lambo Guy’ will give away$140,000 in gift cards to lucky shoppers today, with queues already forming ahead of the big moment. Find out where and why.

Billionaire Adrian Portelli is giving away $140,000 in Coles gift cards to lucky shoppers on Tuesday.

The rich-lister announced his plans on his Instagram profile on Monday, encouraging his followers to share the story to “those in need.”

Portelli was at Coles Nerang earlier on Tuesday to give away the first $70,000 in gift cards.

He then headed to Coles Redbank Plaza to give away the rest of the gift cards at 1pm.

Security guards are positioned outside Coles as of 10am and dozens of people camped in front of the store with fold-up chairs for a chance at one of the gift cards.

Adrian Portelli with fans at Coles Redbank Plaza.

Rose Gibson waited in the queue for five hours and was first in line for one of the gift cards. She’s a diehard fan of Adrian Portelli but said the gift card will come in handy.

“It will be just a massive help with having a family, starting a business … it just helps,” she said.

Gift cards were distributed to shoppers shortly after 12.30pm, with a new meet and greet line forming in front of the billionaire.

Hundreds remained in line outside Coles at 1.00pm. One fan waiting near the front of the complex gushed to a friend that she couldn’t wait to talk to Portelli. “How often do you get a chance to meet a billionaire?” she said.

At least 100 people are seen lining up outside Coles Redbank Plaza shortly after noon for a chance at scoring a gift card. Picture: Danica Clayton

But the gesture has sparked some concern online.

“That’s only like 1500 gift cards between three shopping centres. All this hype is going to cause so many issues in the shopping centres with only a small minority receiving anything. His generosity is nice though,” one person wrote on social media.

“As kind and as well intended as that would be. Those that need it most won’t get it because of the angst of even trying to get through a crowd of those that don’t. It would just be weighed up as ‘not worth the angst’. I hope those that need it, get it,” a second wrote.

Portelli will head to Coles Lismore on Wednesday where at 10am he will give away an additional $70,000 in gift cards.