Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Growing up in Western Queensland, Luke Bateman had just one dream — to be a professional rugby league player.

He showed remarkable sporting talent from a young age and was signed by the Canberra Raiders NRL team at just 12 years of age.

But a devastating gambling addiction cost him everything.

Luke tells Australian Story how he repaid his debts and overcame his addiction with the help of his family, and how he's now living out the reality of a new dream as a fantasy author and book influencer.

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#AustralianStory #LukeBateman #BookTok

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