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Kayla McBrien • Jul 30, 2026 
A VIP gambling scandal has erupted in Australia. A former NRL player told a Senate inquiry he watched sportsbook executives use drugs at a VIP event. Luke Bateman, a 31-year-old former Canberra Raiders forward, gave evidence on Monday, 3 August 2026.
He said betting operators flew him to VIP events in his early twenties. One event took place at a Gold Coast canal-front rental. Bateman said company founders and senior executives, known as the “C-suite,” were present.
Here’s the short version: Luke Bateman’s VIP Gambling Scandal
- Former NRL player Luke Bateman told a Senate inquiry he did drugs alongside sportsbook executives at a VIP event years ago
- Tim Costello of the Alliance for Gambling Reform named Tabcorp and Sportsbet in his testimony, tying the allegations to both operators directly
- Both companies deny the specific claims and say they’ve seen no supporting evidence
- The Senate inquiry sits alongside pressure for a complete gambling advertising ban in Australia, separate from the ad reforms already before parliament
- Nothing changes for everyday bettors today; this is about executive conduct and VIP hospitality, not account access
- If any of this resonates with your own gambling habits, BetStop and Gambling Help Online are free and available now
What Sparked the VIP Gambling Scandal
The allegations surfaced during a Senate inquiry into gambling advertising in Australia. Senators are examining whether the country should ban gambling advertising completely. This follows a 2022 inquiry and its report, “You Win Some, You Lose More.”
That report called for a full gambling advertising ban and a dedicated national gambling regulator. The government’s response has been narrower so far. The gambling reform bill caps TV ads and bans them during live sport, but stops short of an outright ban.
Inside the VIP Gambling Scandal: What Was Alleged
Bateman told the Senate inquiry sportsbook operators flew him to VIP events during his playing career. At one Gold Coast gathering, he said the operator’s leadership used drugs together in a back room. He said he did the same nearby.
Costello told the inquiry this wasn’t an isolated incident. He pointed the allegations squarely at Tabcorp and Sportsbet, naming both companies as operators he believes run similar VIP hospitality.
What the Companies Say
Sportsbet responded to the Tabcorp and Sportsbet allegations with a statement, as reported by SBS News and Inside Asian Gaming. The company said it has “zero tolerance for conduct of this nature.” It added that it has seen no evidence supporting the claims, and asked for any proof to be provided.
Tabcorp said the VIP gambling scandal allegations “do not form any part of Tabcorp’s customer offering.” Neither company has been named in a formal finding. The inquiry is a fact-gathering process, not a court.
A Common Misunderstanding Worth Clearing Up
It’s easy to assume every high-value account gets flown to parties. In reality, a VIP program at most sports betting operators means loyalty perks. It usually adds a dedicated account manager, not exclusive events.
These programs still follow the same Australian gambling laws as any other account. The allegations here concern a small number of alleged events. They don’t describe standard account benefits at a typical VIP program.
Both named operators dispute the claims entirely.
What a Real VIP Program Looks Like for Most Players
For most Australians, a VIP program looks nothing like a Gold Coast rental. Picture a player who deposits a few hundred dollars a week. A typical VIP tier gives them a named account manager and a slightly better cashback rate.
The occasional bonus-spin offer rounds it out. No flights, no events, and no gifts happen beyond what the operator discloses on its own promotions page.
One warning sign is an account manager pushing you to deposit more to reach the next tier. Another is hospitality that only makes sense while you keep losing. That’s the line this inquiry is examining.
Where This Sits Politically
This Senate inquiry runs alongside the gambling advertising ban reforms already before parliament, not instead of them. Groups like the Alliance for Gambling Reform argue the bill doesn’t go far enough. They want a complete gambling advertising ban plus a dedicated regulator.
Industry bodies counter that a total ban risks pushing bettors toward unregulated offshore operators with no consumer protections. Whatever the Senate decides, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, or ACMA, will enforce it. The regulator already holds power to investigate broadcasters and advertisers.
Practical Takeaway About The VIP Gambling Scandal
Set a deposit limit before it becomes an issue, not after. Your account, deposits, and withdrawals aren’t affected by a Senate hearing. Nothing here requires action from you today.
But if VIP hospitality tied to spending sounds familiar, treat it as a prompt to check your own habits.
Conclusion: VIP Gambling Scandal
This VIP gambling scandal is still just testimony at a Senate inquiry, not a finalised finding against Tabcorp or Sportsbet. Both operators have pushed back hard, saying they’ve seen no evidence to support the claims. The fight over how far Australia’s gambling advertising ban should go is far from settled.
For the TV ad-cap rules already locked into law, see “What Sparked the VIP Gambling Scandal” above. The practical takeaway hasn’t changed: know your limits. Don’t let any VIP program talk you out of them.
If any of this hospitality-and-spending pattern sounds familiar from your own habits, here’s what’s actually available to help.
VIP Gambling Responsible Gambling
This VIP gambling scandal is a reminder that hospitality tied to spending is worth watching. That’s true whether or not the allegations against Tabcorp and Sportsbet hold up.
Gambling should stay within what you can afford to lose. It’s worth stepping back the moment it starts feeling like a way to recover losses instead of entertainment.
Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential support for Australians affected by gambling. Reach them at gamblinghelponline.org.au or on 1800 858 858, available 24 hours a day.
BetStop is Australia’s national self-exclusion register for licensed domestic gambling and sports betting services. You can self-exclude from every participating operator at once through the official BetStop site.
Most sports betting operators also offer deposit limits, loss limits, session timers, and cooling-off periods. Set them up when you join an account. Don’t wait until a VIP manager has already made an offer that’s hard to say no to.
Our responsible gambling page covers these tools in more depth if you want the full breakdown.
VIP Gambling Scandal FAQs
What is the VIP gambling scandal in Australia about?
Former NRL player Luke Bateman gave evidence at a Senate inquiry on August 3, 2026. He said sportsbook executives used drugs with him at a VIP hospitality event. He said operators flew him to these events during his playing career. One took place at a Gold Coast rental attended by company founders and senior staff.
Which companies are named in the VIP gambling scandal?
Tim Costello of the Alliance for Gambling Reform named Tabcorp and Sportsbet during the inquiry. He said this kind of VIP hospitality happens at multiple operators. Bateman didn’t name either company directly in his own testimony, as reported by SBS News and Inside Asian Gaming.
Did Tabcorp and Sportsbet respond to the allegations?
Yes. Sportsbet said it has no tolerance for conduct like this and has seen no evidence backing the claims. Tabcorp said the allegations don’t reflect any part of its customer offering. Neither company has been named in a formal finding at this stage.
Does the VIP gambling scandal affect the gambling advertising ban already before parliament?
Not directly. The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 is already before parliament with its own 2027 timeline. This Senate inquiry is separate. Advocates are using it to argue the government should go further than that bill currently allows.
18+ | Gamble Responsibly. Visit Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858 for free, confidential support. You can also register with BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register.
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