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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Tom McIlroy Political editor

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

Luke Bateman Alcohol Cocaine TikTok Labor Addiction Rugby Sportsbet TAB
Former rugby league player Luke Bateman at the parliamentary inquiry in Canberra, Australia
Luke Bateman has told a gambling inquiry that betting companies exercised no duty of care towards people like himself. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Former rugby league star Luke Bateman has alleged gambling company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol, telling a parliamentary inquiry the betting industry exercised no duty of care.

Bateman, who is now a TikTok star and influential in the “BookTok” community, told the inquiry on Monday morning he attended a private Gold Coast event hosted by a gambling company at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients.

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