Victorian Coroner finds online sports betting led to Kyle Hudson's death

For the first time a Coroner has ruled that a gambling addiction led to suicide. Despite being seemingly healthy and stable, with no drug or alcohol problems 22 year old student and gambler Kyle Hudson took his own life.
Victorian Coroner Paul Lawrie (coronerscourt.vic.gov.au) said that 'Gambling was the direct and paramount causative factor underlying his decision to take his own life.' and noted that Kyle opened his first sports bet account immediately on turning 18. The Coroner made a number of recommendations including a government created centralised data collection of online gambling account information to be monitored, a gambling regulator and a ban on all gambling ads on mainstream and social media.
And what punters can do if an online bookie refuses to pay. There are disputes about whether or not a successful punter is a professional gambler. So how do bookies decide whether a punter is recreational or professional? Are the rules applied consistently and why are issues raised only when a punter wins?
Guests
Associate Professor Angela Rintoul (findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/1085540-an…), Principal Research Fellow, Gambling and Suicide, Department of Health and Society, Melbourne University
Tony Taouk (magnacartalawyers.com.au), Principal, Magna Carta Lawyers
If this conversation raises issues for you or someone close to you there is help available Gambling Help Online | Gambling Help Online (gamblinghelponline.org.au) 1800 858 858
Further Information
Victorian Coroners Court Finding into death following inquest (coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/C…) Kyle Hudson
Law Report 29 September 2026If you don't pay your gambling debts to an unlicensed bookie, can they take you to court to recover the money? (if you don)