Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has exposed disturbing allegations about how vulnerable people can be targeted with gambling inducements.

Giving evidence referenced at the Senate inquiry, Tim said:

“He was flown to events from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. He was put up. He was given escorts. He was asked what drugs you like.”

The evidence has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to strengthen gambling reforms and tackle inducements that can keep people gambling despite serious harm.

Australians deserve protections that put people before gambling industry profits.

The Senate inquiry has exposed disturbing allegations about the inducements used to keep gamblers spending.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman testified that, as a 23-year-old, he was flown to race days where VIP managers supplied him with alcohol and cocaine while he gambled away thousands.

The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello also accused Tabcorp and Sportsbet of offering drugs and escorts to keep gamblers gambling.

These are serious allegations, and they demand scrutiny. Gambling companies should not be allowed to exploit people through inducements that contribute to gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello has strongly condemned suggestions the government could walk away from gambling reform rather than negotiate stronger protections.

“That is absolutely shocking if they're seriously considering that. And the public won't wear it.”

Tim says the proposed legislation still allows three gambling ads an hour on free-to-air television and leaves people watching sport on streaming services exposed unless they actively opt out.

The Alliance is calling for meaningful, evidence-based reform, including stronger restrictions on gambling advertising, a ban on inducements and better protection for children and people experiencing gambling harm.

This is a critical opportunity to put public health ahead of gambling industry interests. The government must return to the table and deliver reform that genuinely protects Australian families and communities. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/rnf-friendless-gambling-reform-bill-faces-uncertain-future/sbouly0le

Donate to The Alliance and help us campaign for stronger gambling laws. https://www.agr.org.au/donate-2026-m-sm

Social media is being flooded with videos that glamorise poker machines and illegal online gambling, often without gambling harm warnings. Regulators fear this content blurs entertainment and marketing, normalises gambling and presents it as “a source of easy money”.

University of Melbourne researcher Angela Rintoul warned: “It appears to be a form of marketing that has been under the radar and overlooked by regulators and platforms.”

Only one influencer has reportedly been disciplined, despite regulators investigating multiple cases.

The Alliance is calling for stronger protections from gambling promotion online.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman has told a Senate inquiry how gambling companies offered bonus bets, alcohol, interstate trips and even drugs while he was experiencing severe gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello warned the proposed laws still fail to ban inducements or establish a national regulator.

“It’s line ball whether [the proposed legislation] is actually better than the status quo,” Tim said.

The 2023 Murphy report called for a total ban on gambling inducements. Australians continue to lose an estimated $32 billion to gambling each year.

Australia needs stronger reform that puts people before gambling profits.

The Senate committee has examined the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, hearing from The Alliance, lived experience experts, health organisations, financial counsellors and community services.

“It’s a line-ball whether it’s actually better than the status quo because this legislation weakens, particularly the protection for kids and the linking with sport,” said The Alliance Chief Advocate, Rev Tim Costello.

Reform must reduce children’s exposure to gambling and break the connection between gambling and sport - not weaken existing protections.

Support stronger protections against gambling harm.

Gambling companies spend millions making sure your children know their brands, their odds, and how to place a bet before they're old enough to do it legally.
We have had enough.

We're launching Parents for Gambling Reform, a movement of mums, dads, and carers who are done watching gambling ads follow their kids everywhere. We want to hear from you. What are your kids seeing? What are you worried about?

Children should be able to enjoy sport without being constantly exposed to gambling ads.

Have gambling ads affected your family? Share your experience with The Alliance. Your story could help build the case for stronger protections for children.

Writing in The Guardian, former independent MP and journalist Zoe Daniel argues that Australia’s proposed gambling reforms fall far short of what families need.

Alliance Voices Advocate Mark Kempster told the Senate inquiry:

“I know dozens of examples of what Luke said as well, with the people I’ve worked with. That is a regular occurrence. Those types of things happen across nearly all the major VIP programs that I’ve seen,”

Zoe Daniel’s article highlights the devastating consequences of gambling harm and the urgent need for stronger regulation and accountability.

This week’s Senate inquiry into gambling reform heard testimony that gambling companies used inducements including escorts, drugs, exclusive event access and bonus bets disproportionate to a person’s income to keep people gambling.

These practices may not be isolated. If you or someone you know has experienced a gambling company offering similar inducements, your story could help expose harmful industry practices and strengthen the case for reform.

New research from FARE reveals every AFL and NRL club is sponsored by an alcohol company, while every NRL club and five AFL clubs have gambling sponsors.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman warned: “Advertising doesn’t give people a problem, but what it does is normalises it and makes it seem as though sports cannot exist without these things.”

Children should be able to enjoy sport without being relentlessly exposed to industries linked to serious harm. Governments and sporting codes must put community wellbeing ahead of sponsorship revenue.

Luke Bateman’s testimony exposed how gambling companies have treated high-value customers as revenue targets, not people needing protection.

He described being flown interstate, given alcohol, offered drugs and encouraged with bonus gambling offers while experiencing serious gambling harm.

The issue is bigger than which bookmaker was involved. It is a system that has used inducements to keep people gambling.

Australia needs a ban on gambling inducements and a strong national regulator.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman alleges gambling company employees offered to arrange illicit drugs while cultivating him as a "high-value customer".

At the height of his gambling harm, Bateman was losing tens of thousands of dollars each month and receiving relentless inducements.

“What we're trying to stop is the relentless targeting of vulnerable individuals,” he said.

His evidence shows why self-regulation is not enough. We must ban inducements, end gambling ads and establish a national gambling regulator.

Former NRL player Luke Bateman has told a Senate inquiry how gambling companies offered bonus bets, alcohol, interstate trips and even drugs while he was experiencing severe gambling harm.

Alliance Chief Advocate Tim Costello warned the proposed laws still fail to ban inducements or establish a national regulator.

“It’s line ball whether [the proposed legislation] is actually better than the status quo,” Tim said.

The 2023 Murphy report called for a total ban on gambling inducements. Australians continue to lose an estimated $32 billion to gambling each year.

Australia needs stronger reform that puts people before gambling profits.

Family time around sport should be about connection, excitement and the game - not gambling promotions.

Has your family been affected by gambling ads? Share your story with The Alliance and help strengthen the case for meaningful reform and better protections for children.

Australian governments are responsible for reducing gambling harm, yet they rely heavily on gambling revenue.

NSW collected $3.6 billion in gambling taxes in 2024-25, while Victoria collected more than $2.4 billion. This dependence creates a powerful barrier to meaningful reform.

As one MP warned, government had “sunk to the depths, was desperate for money, and was capitalising upon the most vulnerable members of the community”.

Governments must reform federal-state funding so essential services no longer depend on the gambling losses of everyday Australians.