澳大利亚议会对工党赌博立法举行听证会期间，赌博改革倡导者提出了对博彩行业的严厉指控。赌博改革联盟主席蒂姆·科斯特洛指控博彩公司向VIP客户提供毒品和陪侍以诱导赌博，他举例称一名财务顾问在17个月内从公司盗窃1230万澳元用于赌博，该人月转账额超过2000万澳元，作为TAB和Sportsbet最大客户获得了5万澳元奖励赌注、飞往大赛的机票以及毒品和陪侍服务[1][2]。前坎培拉袭击队球员卢克·贝特曼在参议院调查中作证，称博彩公司向他提供毒品、酒精和陪同服务，甚至包机将他带去州际赛马日，公司高管提前询问他想要什么毒品[1][2]。
Sportsbet、Tabcorp等博彩巨头随后否认了这些指控。Sportsbet负责人茱莉斯·诺顿·塞尔泽表示"我们对科斯特洛神父提出的指控没有任何证据"[1]，而Tabcorp负责人朱利安·惠林则声称"这些声称不构成Tabcorp客户服务的任何部分，Tabcorp对此行为零容忍"[1]。行业协会Responsible Wagering Australia主席凯·坎特韦尔称这些是"非常严重的指控"，强烈否认，并建议将证据报告给执法部门[1]。代理总理理查德·马尔斯承认昨天的证据"令人震惊"，但表示政府已做出比任何其他政府更多的措施以解决问题赌博问题[1]。
议员们对现有立法的不足表示关切。联盟党参议员莎拉·亨德森指出当前缺乏对奖励赌注的监管，认为需要进一步行动[1]。这些听证会凸显了政府改革方案与改革倡导者建议的差距——2023年议会委员会曾建议全面禁止博彩诱惑、实施赌博广告禁令和设立国家监管机构，而政府改革方案仅包括减少赌博广告、禁止电视播放期间的广告、禁止"便携式老虎机"和改善财务咨询等有限措施[2]。
Major Australian betting operators have firmly rejected accusations that they lure high-value gamblers with illicit inducements during parliamentary hearings into gambling reform legislation.[1] Gambling reform advocates presented testimony alleging that companies including Sportsbet and Tabcorp provided drugs, escorts, and premium betting incentives to their most valuable clients, claims that the industry has characterized as serious but unfounded.[1]
Tim Costello, a gambling reform campaigner, alleged that one financial advisor stole AUD 12.3 million from his employer over 17 months to fund gambling, describing the man as a top-tier customer at both TAB and Sportsbet who received AUD 50,000 bonus bets, complimentary travel to major racing events, drugs, and escort services.[1] Luke Bateman, a former Canberra Raiders player, testified before the Senate inquiry that betting companies chartered flights for him to attend interstate racing events and that company executives asked in advance what drugs he wanted.[1] Bateman also stated that betting operators supplied him with drugs, alcohol, and accompanying services.[2]
Sportsbet's representative Jules Norton Selzer declared, "We have no evidence whatsoever of the claims that Father Costello made yesterday," while Tabcorp's Julian Whealing stated that "these alleged behaviors do not constitute any part of Tabcorp's customer service, and Tabcorp has zero tolerance for such conduct."[1] Kai Cantwell of the industry group Responsible Wagering Australia described the allegations as "pretty egregious claims" and strongly denied them, suggesting that the evidence be reported to law enforcement authorities.[1]
The inquiry has exposed a significant gap in regulatory oversight. A 2023 parliamentary committee led by the late Labor MP Peter Murphy recommended a comprehensive ban on betting inducements, gambling advertising restrictions, and the establishment of a national regulatory body.[2] The government's reform package, however, includes only more limited measures: reducing gambling advertisements across media platforms, prohibiting advertisements during television broadcasts, banning portable gaming machines, and improving financial counseling.[2] Coalition Senator Sarah Henderson pointed out that current regulation lacks oversight of bonus betting, signaling that further action may be needed.[1] Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles acknowledged that while the government has done more than any other administration to address problem gambling, the testimony presented yesterday was "shocking."[1]