# Luke Bateman tells inquiry gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol

https://mins.news/en/item/12169

- The Guardian, 2026-08-03 00:39 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/03/ex-rugby-league-star-says-gambling-companies-fuelled-his-betting-addiction

> Former rugby league player and current TikTok influencer Luke Bateman described his escalating gambling addiction to a parliamentary inquiry. He said gambling had cost him about $1m and alleged that gambling-company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol. Bateman argued that the betting industry had shown no duty of care. He also said he attended a private event hosted by a gambling company on the Gold Coast, where senior figures took illicit drugs alongside clients.