Australia news live: cabinet shake-up in Victoria; Tabcorp and Sportsbet say ‘no evidence’ they provided drugs and escorts to customers

Luke Bateman, a former rugby league star, told a parliamentary gambling reform inquiry that betting company promoters supplied him cocaine and alcohol and that he attended private Gold Coast events hosted by gambling firms where senior figures used illegal drugs with clients, The Guardian reports. Tabcorp and Sportsbet deny the allegations, and the federal environment minister said anyone offering illegal drugs is committing a crime and should face consequences.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton