A former professional rugby player whose career was derailed by a severe gambling addiction is shedding light on the alleged predatory practices of betting firms in Australia.
During his testimony at the Australian Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee’s hearing on Monday (Aug. 3), Luke Bateman explained how bookmakers kept him addicted to betting on horse races and National Rugby League (NRL) matches. Bateman divulged that sportsbooks doused him in not only free alcohol and travel but also bonus bet inducements, escorts, and illegal drugs.
“There were times where I would be flown interstate and taken to race days, put in marquees with alcohol and food provided all day. Before getting there, the VIP manager would ask, ‘Hey mate, what drugs do you want? Do you want a couple of bags for this weekend?’” Bateman testified.
The former Canberra Raiders forward said there was an understanding that in exchange for the travel accommodations and perks, he would only bet with that book and nobody else during his trip.
Betting Executives Participated
The hearing comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government continues to weigh a controversial gambling package that would restrict betting advertisements. Bateman and others testifying against the gambling industry are trying to convince the Labor Party to reinstate recommendations made in the 2023 Murphy report, which suggested a full ban on gambling adverts.
Pressed for clarification on whether he was solely courted by his betting host, Bateman revealed that company executives were in on the scheme. During a lavish trip to the canals of the Gold Coast, Bateman said he partied with C-suite execs.
“The entire C-suite of the company was there. All the management team, they were all in a backroom doing drugs together. I was doing drugs with them. This is like the CEO, the founders, the VIP managers,” Bateman said.
While Bateman didn’t name names, he was supposedly among several bookmakers’ top customers.
Bateman, who has since become a social media influencer for reviewing fantasy and fiction books, and has a deal for a tell-all autobiography of his gambling addiction, isn’t fully passing on the blame to the gaming companies.
“I was a willing participant. I put my hand up. [But] these men are in positions of power with influence. There’s absolutely zero duty of care, absolutely zero care for you as a human,” Bateman said.
“I was 21, very young, very vulnerable, and these men were older, exploiting that vulnerability and youthful naivety,” Bateman said.
Labor Maintains Industry Commitment
Labor leaders say they remain committed to gambling reforms, and their latest regulatory draft includes a full ban on ads during live sports television broadcasts.
Calling them the “strongest-ever” reforms to tackle gambling harms, a spokesperson for the Labor Party said the Albanese government is focused on strengthening BetStop, the national gambling self-exclusion register.
“There are also existing restrictions on gambling companies for inducements, including that direct marketing may only be sent to customers who have provided their consent to receive them,” the Labor spokesperson said.
The 2023 Murphy report, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, was a cross-party parliamentary inquiry that recommended a ban on gambling advertising and the creation of a national gaming regulator. Aussie governments have much at stake, as state and territory governments bank more than $10 billion annually from direct gambling taxes.
