Australian gambling companies refute allegations of providing drugs and alcohol to a former NRL star.

Tabcorp and Sportsbet have dismissed the accusations made by Costello and Bateman, stating that these claims lack merit and are unsupported by evidence. Bateman and Costello told an inquiry investigating gambling-related harm in the country that allegations against them, as well as claims of neglecting their duty of care to customers, were unfounded. Just a day after these testimonies were reported, Bateman specifically mentioned the companies, leading to a strong rebuttal from the gambling firms. On Tuesday, Jules Norton Selzer, Sportsbet's Director of Corporate Affairs, appeared before the inquiry to swiftly refute the claims, insisting there was no evidence backing Bateman and Costello's assertions. No information has been provided to us beyond what was mentioned yesterday, and we are willing to investigate it, Seltez stated, adding that Sportsbet was ready to address the issue and hold accountable any responsible parties if needed. Our goal is for adult customers to enjoy our product safely and responsibly, which is why we support efforts to reduce underage exposure and strengthen consumer protections across all federal and state regulatory frameworks we operate within, Seltez further explained.

Tabcorp echoed a similar sentiment, with Julian Whealing, the company's Head of Government Affairs, inviting anyone with evidence supporting Bateman and Costello’s claims to come forward. During the hearing, Whealing plainly stated that no such evidence had been presented. This debate arises during a challenging period for gambling companies in Australia, as the Albanese government aims to implement stricter regulations to better protect customers from gambling-related harm. Australia is increasingly focusing on cracking down on potentially harmful activities and those who promote them, including a recent pledge to address influencers endorsing illegal gambling.