Ex-NRL player reveals drug offers during crippling gambling addiction
Luke Bateman says gambling company employees unofficially offered him illicit drugs in order to cultivate a relationship with him when he was high-spend punter.
Former NRL player Luke Bateman has come forward with allegations that betting company employees unofficially offered illicit drugs while cultivating relationships with him as a high-volume gambler. Speaking at a Senate inquiry, Bateman, who lost "tens of thousands of dollars a month" during his addiction, detailed how gambling inducements made it harder for him to break free from his problem.
The two-day inquiry will also hear from medical experts, welfare groups, and industry representatives about proposed Labor legislation to restrict gambling advertising. Bateman alleged that gambling company employees offered him drugs to "strengthen" their relationship when he was losing large sums of money. He described these offers as a "tactic" to encourage him to continue gambling with their company and prevent him from seeking help elsewhere.
The inquiry will examine the impact of these inducements on vulnerable individuals and the need for stronger regulations to combat gambling addiction.
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