EditorialAugust 4, 2026 — 4:19pmAllegations that betting companies routinely use drugs, escorts and bonus bets to woo gambling addicts are an embarrassing counterpoint to the Albanese government’s dogged refusal to outlaw inducements in its tepid attempt at gambling law reform.The government is refusing to bend despite the landmark report by the parliamentary committee headed by late Labor MHR Peta Murphy in 2023 that recommended full prohibition of betting inducements, a gambling advertising blackout and a national regulator.Gambling reform advocates say the government’s legislation is inadequate.Jason SouthInstead, Labor’s reforms will include fewer gambling ads across various media, including none during television broadcasts, a ban on “pocket pokies” and improved financial counselling.The latest allegations came to light when Luke Bateman, a former Canberra Raiders player turned TikTok influencer, told a Senate inquiry he was flown interstate for race days by betting companies, where he was plied with alcohol and offered his choice of drugs. He also said he would steal from his mother, partner and siblings to feed his gambling addiction.Bateman did not identify the betting company.He had already told part of his story to this masthead’s Good Weekend magazine. On Monday, he was joined by gambling reform advocates to highlight what they regard as the inadequacies of the government’s reform legislation.Alliance for Gambling Reform chief Tim Costello said the legislation had some good aspects, but it was line ball if it was better than the status quo. He spoke of a man who stole $12.3 million from his company. “He was the TAB’s biggest customer in that time. They were giving him $50,000 bonus bets,” Costello said. “He was also Sportsbet’s biggest customer. They were flying him to grand finals. They were offering him escorts, drugs, whatever he wanted. He was doing turnover of more than $20 million a month.”Gambling industry representatives have rejected the claims.Sportsbet’s Jules Norton Selzer just told the inquiry on Tuesday: “I also want to make it very clear that we have zero evidence of the allegations made by Reverend Costello yesterday. We have no tolerance for that kind of deplorable conduct and information, and no information has been provided to us beyond what was referenced yesterday, and we would gladly investigate it.”Tabcorp’s head of government affairs, Julian Whealing, said: “Tabcorp has zero tolerance for this behaviour. We are Australia’s most regulated wagering company and we take our responsibilities to compliance seriously.”Kai Cantwell, who represents the peak body Responsible Wagering Australia, disputed the “pretty egregious claims” and said if they were true, complainants should contact operators and authorities.But there is no denying that the personal stories of addicts and their perception how their weaknesses were preyed upon have been heard for years in various royal commissions and government inquiries conducted into the impact of gambling on Australian lives.Their lived experiences have mostly been ignored.The Senate evidence captures the tragic vulnerability of addicts and should fuel a growing consensus across the political spectrum to force the Albanese’s government to toughen its milksop gambling reforms.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.The Herald's View – Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed it important to express a considered view on the issues of the day for readers, always putting the public interest first.From our partners