$250K down, Luke Bateman reveals how he survived a 'hameful' gambling addiction
Former NRL player Luke Bateman shares his journey from a debilitating gambling addiction to becoming a successful fantasy writer.Summary
Former NRL player Luke Bateman reveals his harrowing battle with a severe gambling addiction that left him in massive debt despite earning $400,000 annually. During his addiction, he struggled with mental health issues and contemplated suicide, eventually seeking help and entering rehab.
To recover, Bateman moved to a remote logging area to escape temptation and repay his debts. This period of isolation led him to rediscover his passion for reading and writing. He gained unexpected fame on TikTok through the #BookTok community, which eventually resulted in a three-book deal as a fantasy writer.
Now, Bateman uses his platform to advocate for stricter gambling advertising laws in Australia, aiming to protect young people from the harms he experienced. He has even expressed interest in entering politics to drive systemic change.
(Source：ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation))