Betting Industry Under Fire | Sydney News

A Senate inquiry is exposing explosive claims in Australia’s betting industry, including allegations that NRL star Luke Bateman was offered drugs by betting reps to manage his gambling addiction. Betting giants Sportsbet and TAB fiercely deny these accusations, insisting they have zero tolerance for such behavior. The debate intensifies as ads targeting younger audiences — like Bet365 on Racing.com and gambling spots near kids’ music on Spotify — spark outrage from senators demanding accountability. Both companies defend their ad strategies, claiming no intent to reach children, but regulators remain skeptical. Meanwhile, the murky world of VIP customer programs leaves lawmakers baffled — with neither company able to confirm how many account managers serve top clients. Advocates push for a total ban on inducements, which current legislation doesn’t include. Industry leaders warn that stricter rules could drive users to offshore sites and harm sports funding, arguing their regulated model supports the economy — while regulators struggle to define “notable persons” and scope new restrictions. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/34d3f0a6aff96077