前橄榄球明星卢克·贝特曼在澳大利亚议会听证会上指控博彰公司向他提供可卡因和酒精。[1]贝特曼表示，尽管年薪达40万澳元，但因赌博成瘾已无积蓄，累计损失约100万澳元。[1]他指责博彩业对赌徒缺乏关爱和保护。[1]
贝特曼表示，他在23岁时曾参加博彩公司在黄金海岸运河租赁地点举办的活动。[1]根据听证会证词，被指控的赌徒月投注额超过2000万澳元，并获得5万澳元的红利赌注。[1]反赌博活动人士指控TAB、Sportsbet和悉尼Star赌场向问题赌徒提供毒品、陪伴和免费住宿。[1]
针对这些问题，阿尔巴尼斯政府提议限制每小时博彩广告数量并禁止在直播比赛期间播放博彩广告。[1]已故工党议员彼得·墨菲的报告曾提议全面禁止博彩广告。[1]
Former rugby player Luke Bateman has told an Australian parliamentary inquiry that gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol while he struggled with betting addiction.[1] Despite earning A$400,000 annually, Bateman reported accumulating debts exceeding A$250,000 and estimates he has lost approximately A$1 million through gambling.[1] Bateman testified that the gambling industry showed no care or protection for problem gamblers, describing the relationship as one-sided and exploitative.[1]
Anti-gambling activist Costello corroborated these allegations, accusing major operators including TAB, Sportsbet, and Sydney's Star casino of providing drugs, companionship, and complimentary accommodation to problem gamblers.[1] The inquiry heard that one gambler placed monthly bets exceeding A$20 million and received A$50,000 bonus betting credits.[1] Bateman revealed that at age 23, he attended an event hosted by a gambling company at a leased canal-side location on the Gold Coast.[1]
In response to such testimony, the Albanese government has proposed restricting gambling advertisements to a limited number per hour and banning gambling promotions during live sports broadcasts.[1] A report from the late Labor MP Peta Murphy has recommended a comprehensive prohibition on gambling advertising.[1]