Former Canberra Raiders player Luke Bateman has delivered disturbing evidence to a federal parliamentary inquiry, alleging that gambling-company representatives offered to arrange illicit drugs while cultivating him as a high-value online betting customer.
Bateman told the Senate inquiry that personalised VIP managers contacted him with bonus bets, interstate travel, accommodation, alcohol and invitations to exclusive events while he was experiencing severe gambling harm.
The 31-year-old said the alleged conduct occurred during a period in which he was losing tens of thousands of dollars a month through online sports and racing betting.
His evidence relates to mobile and internet wagering accounts—not poker machines operating inside pubs, clubs or casinos.
What Luke Bateman told the inquiry
Bateman said he held accounts with several online wagering companies and was assigned VIP account managers because of the amount of money he was betting.
According to his evidence, those managers attempted to build personal relationships with him by offering tailored betting promotions and access to exclusive events.
Bateman alleged that before some interstate racing events, a VIP manager would ask what drugs he wanted and offer to organise them for the weekend.
He also described attending a private event on the Gold Coast where senior figures connected to a gambling company allegedly consumed illicit drugs alongside customers.
These claims remain allegations presented to a parliamentary inquiry. They should not be treated as findings of criminal wrongdoing against any individual or company unless independently established.
Bateman has also acknowledged that he willingly participated in some of the behaviour. However, he argued that older and more powerful industry figures should have recognised his vulnerability rather than encouraging an environment involving gambling, alcohol and drugs.
A gambling addiction that cost about $1 million
Bateman played 71 NRL matches for the Canberra Raiders between 2015 and 2020.
He has previously described becoming heavily involved in online sports and racing betting while pursuing his professional rugby league career.
At the height of his addiction, Bateman said he could lose tens of thousands of dollars in a single month. He estimated that his total gambling losses eventually reached approximately $1 million.
Despite earning as much as $400,000 a year during part of his career, Bateman said he was left with debts exceeding $250,000 and had little money to show for his earnings.
He has described gambling as becoming closely connected with drinking, social events and the wider professional sporting environment.
Bateman said personalised messages from betting companies made it harder to stop because tempting offers could arrive directly on his phone shortly after a major loss.
How VIP betting programs operate
Online wagering companies can assign account managers to customers who deposit or bet significant amounts of money.
These customers may receive personalised promotions, bonus bets, hospitality packages, event invitations and direct contact from company representatives.
Supporters of the system may describe it as a premium customer service. Critics argue it can become dangerous when companies continue targeting customers whose spending patterns indicate serious gambling harm.
Unlike a general television advertisement, a VIP manager may know how much a customer deposits, what sports they follow, how frequently they gamble and when they have suffered major losses.
This level of information raises questions about whether personalised promotions are being used to help customers gamble responsibly—or to encourage continued spending.
The Senate inquiry into gambling reform
Bateman appeared before the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee as it examined the federal government’s proposed gambling reforms.
The inquiry is considering changes to interactive gambling rules, advertising restrictions and Australia’s national self-exclusion system.
The government’s proposed measures include limits on the number of gambling advertisements broadcast each hour, restrictions during live sporting events and additional regulation of online advertising.
However, public-health organisations, welfare groups and gambling-harm advocates argue the legislation does not adequately address personalised inducements and VIP account programs.
Some advocates continue to support a total ban on gambling advertising, similar to the recommendation made by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy following an earlier parliamentary inquiry.
The gambling and broadcasting industries have warned that wider restrictions could reduce funding for professional sport, racing and free-to-air television.
Industry representatives are scheduled to provide their own evidence to the inquiry, giving them an opportunity to respond to criticism of current practices.
Other allegations raised during the hearing
Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello separately told the inquiry about another problem gambler who was allegedly offered drugs, escorts, free accommodation and extremely large bonus bets.
Those allegations concerned a different individual and should not be confused with Bateman’s personal account.
Costello argued that the case demonstrated how customers experiencing severe gambling problems could continue receiving rewards because of the enormous sums they were wagering.
The companies and organisations referenced during the hearing must be given an opportunity to respond, and the allegations should not be presented as established facts without further investigation.
Why Bateman’s evidence matters
Bateman’s testimony raises a broader issue about the legal and ethical responsibilities of gambling companies toward vulnerable customers.
Online wagering platforms possess detailed records showing a person’s deposits, losses, betting frequency and attempts to close or restrict an account.
If those records indicate that someone is losing unsustainable amounts of money, the company may be in a stronger position than almost anyone else to recognise the warning signs.
The central question is whether betting businesses should be permitted to continue sending personalised promotions to customers who appear unable to control their gambling.
Bateman believes inducements and direct VIP contact should be heavily restricted because they can trigger people attempting to recover from addiction.
Conclusion
Luke Bateman’s evidence provides a confronting account of how online gambling, VIP treatment and professional sport can become intertwined.
His claims involving illicit drugs remain allegations and require proper scrutiny. Nevertheless, his documented financial losses and experience of repeated personalised inducements raise serious questions about the effectiveness of Australia’s current consumer protections.
The Senate inquiry is expected to consider evidence from health experts, welfare organisations, regulators and wagering companies before reporting its findings.
Whether the government’s proposed legislation will be strengthened remains uncertain. What is clear is that Bateman’s testimony has intensified pressure on lawmakers to examine not only public gambling advertisements, but also what happens privately between online bookmakers and their biggest customers.
Should betting companies be banned from assigning VIP managers to customers showing signs of gambling harm?