22-year-old Passes Away After 4 Years of Gambling Nearly AUD 900K

(AsiaGameHub) –   A young Melbourne man passed away due to what was described as a debilitating gambling addiction, having wagered AUD 895,733 between his 18th birthday and the day he died in 2021.

Kyle Hudson took his own life on July 6, 2021, after years of excessive gambling with betting operators in Australia. An inquest is now formally examining whether the companies involved took adequate steps to protect him from self-harm.

The inquest will review Hudson’s personal and financial history, along with his betting activity involving major local operators such as Entain, Sportsbet, and bet365.

Although Hudson’s net gambling losses at the time of his death amounted to AUD 47,000, the inquest heard that his inability to control his gambling habits over several years led to severe emotional distress.

Betting Habits Escalated Rapidly

Hudson was described by his girlfriend of seven years as a quiet and “genuinely good bloke” who loved gambling and opened an account with Sportsbet on his 18th birthday.

Ashley Baker, Hudson’s girlfriend, recalled his regret after gambling away large sums of money, saying he told her, “I had lost it all” and “I want to die.”

In December 2020, Hudson gave his girlfriend access to his gambling accounts after losing AU$20,000 from his savings. With Sportsbet alone, he placed 999 bets within the first six months of opening his account.

Operators Face Scrutiny

Sportsbet acknowledged that Hudson had triggered behavioral alerts on 37 occasions. The company stated it had sent responsible gambling materials aimed at helping him reduce harmful gambling behavior.

However, counsel assisting the coroner, Georgina Coghlan KC, argued that the materials provided to Hudson were generic and did not offer targeted support for his specific situation.

The inquest, led by Victorian coroner Paul Lawrie, remains ongoing as additional evidence is gathered. The case has once again raised questions about prevention, timely intervention, and whether gambling operators are doing enough to identify and assist vulnerable customers before their behavior escalates into crisis.