Sportsbet and Tabcorp deny allegations they sourced drugs and sex workers to encourage VIP clients to bet more
Guardian AU
•Tue, 04 Aug 2026 02:55:00 GMT
📰 What Happened
Betting giants Sportsbet and Tabcorp have denied allegations, made by anti-gambling campaigners Tim Costello and Luke Bateman at a parliamentary inquiry into Labor's proposed gambling-advertising curbs, that account managers sourced drugs and sex workers to incentivise vulnerable people to bet more. The companies say there is no evidence for the claims and have called for the information to be provided to regulators. Bateman told the inquiry he attended a private Gold Coast event at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients.
🔍 The Backstory
The statements were made during a parliamentary inquiry into government legislation to restrict gambling advertising in Australia. Anti-gambling advocates have long argued that betting companies' VIP programs and account managers target problem gamblers with inducements. Costello said he was assisting a gambling addict preparing to plead guilty to theft.
🎯 Why It Matters
The allegations, even if disputed, intensify scrutiny of gambling companies' treatment of vulnerable customers at a time when Australia is debating tighter regulation of betting ads. If substantiated, the claims would raise serious harm and duty-of-care questions. The inquiry could shape the shape and scope of gambling-advertising reform across the country.
Betting giants Sportsbet and Tabcorp have denied allegations, made by anti-gambling campaigners Tim Costello and Luke Bateman at a parliamentary inquiry into Labor's proposed gambling-advertising curbs, that account managers sourced drugs and sex workers to incentivise vulnerable people to bet more. The companies say there is no evidence for the claims and have called for the information to be provided to regulators. Bateman told the inquiry he attended a private Gold Coast event at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients.
The statements were made during a parliamentary inquiry into government legislation to restrict gambling advertising in Australia. Anti-gambling advocates have long argued that betting companies' VIP programs and account managers target problem gamblers with inducements. Costello said he was assisting a gambling addict preparing to plead guilty to theft.
The allegations, even if disputed, intensify scrutiny of gambling companies' treatment of vulnerable customers at a time when Australia is debating tighter regulation of betting ads. If substantiated, the claims would raise serious harm and duty-of-care questions. The inquiry could shape the shape and scope of gambling-advertising reform across the country.