Luke Bateman tells inquiry gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol
Former rugby league player Luke Bateman has testified before a parliamentary inquiry, alleging that gambling companies provided him with illicit drugs and alcohol to maintain his loyalty as a high-stakes bettor. He argues that the industry lacks a duty of care and calls for stricter advertising regulations.
Why it matters
The testimony exposes predatory practices within the gambling industry and adds pressure on the government to implement tighter controls on betting promotions.
Luke Bateman has told gambling inquiry that betting companies exercised no duty of care towards people like himself. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Luke Bateman has told gambling inquiry that betting companies exercised no duty of care towards people like himself. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Australian politics Luke Bateman tells inquiry gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol Former rugby league player turned TikTok influencer tells parliamentary inquiry his spiralling addiction to gambling cost him about $1m
Prefer the Guardian on Google Former rugby league star Luke Bateman has alleged gambling company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol, telling a parliamentary inquiry the betting industry exercised no duty of care.
Bateman, who is now a TikTok star and influential in the “BookTok” community , told the inquiry on Monday morning he attended a private Gold Coast event hosted by a gambling company at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients.
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