Gambling Addiction and Illicit Offers | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 3, 2026 · 1m

Former NRL star Luke Bateman has stunned a Senate inquiry by revealing how gambling companies targeted him with illicit drug offers while he was drowning in debt — all part of a relentless push to keep high-spending punters hooked. As a top customer, he was showered with exclusive perks and bonus bets, but behind the scenes, account managers from major operators invited him to lavish events where he accepted drugs alongside senior executives. Now an author and influencer, Bateman warns these inducements are engineered to trap addicts, not help them. With crossbenchers and MPs rallying behind…