Gambling company offered Melbourne man $25,000 on condition he withdraw complaint to regulator and be liable for ‘adverse media’

Exclusive: Conditions on settlement negotiations common in many industries but consumer advocates concerned they could be used to silence victims and avoid scrutiny'

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A Melbourne man says he was offered $25,000 by a gambling company on the condition that he withdraw a complaint to an industry regulator, agree to confidentiality provisions and indemnify them, including against adverse media coverage.

Gordon Burns, 23, argues his 2022 betting frenzy with two bookmakers showed consistent patterns of addictive behaviour" and alleges that no one from either company checked on him to minimise gambling harm.

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