Gambling Companies Supplied Me Drugs and Alcohol, Ex-Rugby Star Tells Inquiry

Former rugby league star Luke Bateman has leveled serious allegations against gambling companies, claiming they supplied him with cocaine and alcohol and demonstrated a complete lack of duty of care. Testifying before a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, Bateman, now a TikTok personality active in the "BookTok" community, detailed his experiences at private events hosted by gambling firms.

Bateman recounted attending exclusive events, including race days, where he was provided with extensive alcohol and food. He alleged that prior to these events, VIP managers would inquire about his drug preferences for the weekend. "Before getting there, your VIP manager would [say] ‘hey, mate, what drugs do you want? Do you want a couple bags for this weekend?’" Bateman told the inquiry.

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hey, mate, what drugs do you want? Do you want a couple bags for this weekend?

He further described a specific incident at a rental property on the Gold Coast, hosted by a betting company. Bateman stated that the company's C-suite executives, management, and VIP managers were present and engaged in drug use together in a back room, while he, then 23 years old, participated with them. "This is like the CEO, the founders, the VIP managers, And at that stage … I would have been a 23-year-old," he said. Bateman acknowledged his own willingness to participate but emphasized that these individuals, in positions of power, should have prioritized his welfare instead of encouraging and normalizing such behavior.

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This is like the CEO, the founders, the VIP managers, And at that stage … I would have been a 23-year-old.

Bateman, who previously earned $400,000 annually but found himself with over $250,000 in debt due to gambling losses, estimates his addiction cost him around $1 million. He asserted, "There’s absolutely zero duty of care, absolute zero care for you as a human. There’s zero care for your well-being, for your mental state. Absolutely nothing of that."

Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello also informed the hearing that TAB, Sportsbet, and Sydney's Star Casino allegedly offered drugs, escorts, and free accommodation to a problem gambler. This individual, now facing charges and detained in Silverwater prison, reportedly received $50,000 bonus bets from TAB and was Sportsbet's biggest customer, with monthly turnovers exceeding $20 million. The gambler was allegedly flown to grand finals and offered various illicit services.

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There’s absolutely zero duty of care, absolute zero care for you as a human. There’s zero care for your well-being, for your mental state. Absolutely nothing of that.