Former National Rugby League (NRL) player Luke Bateman has claimed that senior figures within a gambling company participated in drug use with him and offered to arrange illicit substances when he was a high-volume punter.
Bateman, 31, made these allegations on Monday while testifying at a Senate inquiry examining the Australian government's proposed restrictions on gambling advertising. He stated that gambling company employees also unofficially offered to procure drugs for him when he traveled interstate for exclusive company events.
According to Bateman's testimony, he attended an event at a Gold Coast rental property where he alleged "the entire sort of C-suite of the company was there, all management team, administration, and they were all sort of in the back room doing drugs together, and I was in this room doing drugs with all of them." He identified the attendees as the CEO, founders, and VIP managers, noting he was 23 years old at the time.
When asked by ACT independent Senator David Pocock if this conduct was known beyond the account managers, Bateman replied, "Not only did they know, they were participating in it."
He explained that account managers assigned to high-spending gamblers aim to build personal relationships through bonus bets and invitations to events where travel, accommodation, and hospitality are covered. Bateman alleged that on "multiple times," account managers offered to arrange illicit drugs before these events. He described messages like, "Hey mate, you know, do you want any … drugs on the weekend?" or "If you're going to Melbourne, they're like, 'Hey mate … if you need a couple of bags, let us know and we'll have it organised for you and we'll get it to you.'"
Bateman emphasized that these alleged offers were not official company policy but believed they were intended to strengthen his relationship with account managers and encourage continued gambling with their company. "Creating a sense of trust, creating a sense of friendship, absolutely came with the underlying desire to make sure that you lost all of your money with them," he told the inquiry.
Bateman, a former Canberra Raiders forward who made 71 NRL appearances between 2015 and 2019, has previously spoken about his gambling addiction, which led to $250,000 in debt. He reported losing as much as $80,000 in a single month despite earning $400,000 per season. "I had $70,000 or $80,000 in my bank account, and in the space of a month, I had nothing," he said. "I was in so much debt … I was earning $400,000 a year, and I couldn't afford a lollipop."
He recounted selling possessions and reaching a point where he could not afford groceries. "I was so broke … I couldn't pay for anything. I couldn't buy groceries," he said. His gambling progressed until it "consumed my life," with his phone's gambling app dictating his actions.
Bateman sought help in 2020 after a three-day gambling spree and entered rehabilitation. His parents assumed $130,000 of his debts, which he has since repaid while working in his father's logging business.
He argued that gambling inducements made escaping his addiction more challenging, as direct offers could prompt him to resume betting. "When someone reaches out to you and offers you … this really attractive deal to do it again, it's so motivating to re-enter gambling," he stated. He clarified, "It's not [about] trying to stop anyone from having a bet. What we're trying to stop is the relentless targeting of vulnerable individuals."
The government's proposed reforms include restrictions on television gambling advertisements between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., limits on radio advertising during school drop-off and pick-up times, and an opt-out system for online advertisements. A federal government spokesperson described the package as Labor's "strongest-ever" response to gambling harm. Responsible Wagering Australia has countered that the proposed restrictions would reduce funding for broadcasters and sporting organizations and potentially drive gamblers to illegal offshore sites.
Since his playing career ended due to injury, Bateman has gained a significant social media following for fantasy book reviews and has signed a two-book publishing deal. He also appeared on "The Bachelors Australia" and was a finalist on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here."