Luke Bateman - Gambling With My Life
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What led Luke Bateman from a promising NRL career to $250,000 in gambling debt?
This episode of The Imperfects features a discussion around suicide. If this is something you'd prefer not to engage with right now, then please do skip, but we encourage you to come back when you're ready.
So I was on $400,000 a year for three years, so $1.2 million, and I finished my NRL career with absolutely zero, and I was in probably about $250,000 worth of debt.
Luke Bateman's whole life was built on becoming a rugby league player.
Validation came from my sporting achievements. So from a very young age, that became my identity because you go, this is where I get worth. This is where I feel like I matter. But even when his dream came true, it still wasn't enough. I want to get a really nice car. I want to live in a really nice place. I want this, I want this, I want this. what's next, what's next, what's next? I need to fill this hole within me. Something has to do it. That something was gambling. I gambled all my money away and then I started borrowing money, obviously, from all the people around me, my parents, my siblings, my partner, my friends. I was the best liar in the entire world. Like, I deceived and manipulated everybody.
Eventually, Luke felt like he had no one left to turn to.
I'd lay down in bed and I'd cry. And that was sort of the point where I was like, oh, I've got two options here. Either change or I'm going to end my life.
What do you say to anyone listening to this who is really in the grips of addiction?
It's not often that I start the episodes. This feels special. This feels UN worthy. It's funny you should bring that up. Really? The United Nations? Yeah. It's amazing you should bring that up. Really? Because the reason why I'm starting the episode is I wanted to tell you guys and our listeners, I think this is a pretty, this feels like a big deal. Yeah. They have asked us to be part of their Be Hope podcast takeover. And by they, you mean the UN. I mean Project Everyone, whose mission is to make sure that everyone knows what the UN's global goals are. And Hugh, this episode with Luke Bateman, if you had to describe Luke and the episode, what are some words you'd
use? I would describe this episode, it's a story of, and Luke, a story of hope and resilience and lovely voice. The
three tenants of the United Nations.
Well, that is perfect because the Be Hope Takeover is a thing that happens around the world. There are some massive podcasts involved. I'm feeling a bit awestruck that we've been asked to be a part of this considering
some of the
other people. Some podcasts I really love. So the Be Hope Podcast Takeover is bringing podcasts from all around the world together to explore themes of hope and how we can continue to make progress in a rapidly changing world.
And
as you've just said, I think this episode with Luke is perfect and it's a real hoot to be asked. I mean, it is genuinely unbelievable.
I mean, have the UN just been seduced by his voice? I don't know. We'll find out soon. We'll
find out
soon.
Have the UN followed us on Instagram is what I want to know. Like, really put your money where your mouth is, guys. And how about a collab post while you're at
it? I cannot confirm whether they have, which meaning I don't think they have.
Okay, that's okay. No, we'll take this. This is more than enough. Never have we had a guest come in and pretty immediately proclaim that they would never shit on a book. But really good information to know with today's guest. Really important to know, Luke. Is there
context
needed? Well, I don't think so. Luke was discussing books and not to put words in your mouth, Luke, but you were saying how you would β you said no book is bad. Yeah, no bad books. No bad books. Just books that aren't for me. That's right. And you said I would never shit on a book. I would never shit
on a book. Good to know. And gosh, did Josh and Ryan enjoy that.
We found
it
very
funny. So we're joined by Luke Bateman today, which feels like, I mean, it's just such an exciting, I feel like when we do interviews, in my head, I've got like, I'm going to ask this question, I'm going to ask that question.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What led Luke Bateman from a promising NRL career to $250,000 in gambling debt?
0:00β6:15
2
How did Lukeβs childhood on a Queensland farm shape his identity and vulnerability?
6:15β17:21
3
Why did achieving his professional rugby dream still leave Luke feeling empty?
17:21β33:47
4
What role did gambling, drugs, and alcohol play in Lukeβs downward spiral?
33:47β52:37
5
What happened during the βrock bottomβ phone call that saved Lukeβs life?
52:37β1:10:19
6
How did rehab and the decision to give his mother control of his money start his recovery?
1:10:19β1:16:22
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from The Imperfects
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