Gambling players risk their NRL careers

Players who continue to bet on rugby league could be banned for life, after Manly’s David Williams was suspended for the rest of the NRL season on Wednesday for gambling on games in which he played.

Former NSW and Australian representative Williams was one of five players suspended for betting on NRL fixtures as part of an integrity unit audit of betting records of more than 1500 registered players, officials and staff.

NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said the widespread investigation found no evidence of serious abuses of the game’s betting laws including match-fixing or spot-fixing.

“In the majority of cases, these were small bets – often as little as $5 – but this is a clear statement to everyone involved in rugby league that you are taking a major risk if you bet on matches,” Doyle said.

“We are adopting a zero tolerance policy from this point on and, if you are caught betting on rugby league matches in the future, you will spend a long time on the sidelines or you will be sacked no matter how small the bet.

“This shows the fans that it is really important to us to protect the integrity of the sport. To players and officials, we are saying that – moving forward, if you bet on rugby league – you are taking a significant risk of losing your career or your job or of being significantly suspended.”

Williams, who has played seven games for Manly this season and has been stuck in reserve grade since round 10, was suspended for the rest of the season after placing multiple bets, including on several matches in which he was involved.

North Queensland’s Ethan Lowe, Gold Coast’s Cody Nelson and Melbourne’s Hymel Hunt and Slade Griffin were all suspended for two games for betting on one game each in which their clubs were involved, but in which they didn’t play.

Williams didn’t bet against Manly and Doyle said the NRL was confident match-fixing was not a problem in the game.

Former Canterbury prop Ryan Tandy was found guilty of match-fixing in 2011 over a game the previous season between the Bulldogs and North Queensland.

“In David Williams’ case, he had placed multiple bets and some of those were when he was performing on the field,” Doyle said.

“They were relatively small bets and we didn’t see there was any potential for match-fixing whatsoever.”

Doyle said the bets involved amounts between $5 and $60 and the NRL would move to increase player education and awareness of the issue including having every NRL player sign a document stating they understood and would comply with the game’s betting regulations.

“This is the first time we have had an investigation anywhere to this extent. The integrity of our sport is paramount,” he said.

“This is not a one-off for us – this will be part of a regular process.”

The Rugby League Players’ Association released a statement saying it wanted more information on how the NRL would address shortcomings in player education.

The NRL also issued first and final warnings to 12 registered NRL players, staff and officials who it said placed small, isolated bets on matches.

The services of three casual game day staff were terminated and nine suspended for the rest of the season.

All NRL staff and officials will be required to confirm they fully understand and will comply with betting rules from now on.

Manly, Melbourne, North Queensland and Gold Coast all released statements supporting the NRL’s move.

The NRL relies heavily on betting agencies for sponsorship monies, but Doyle denied this was a double standard pointing out that betting was not illegal, only that betting on rugby league was illegal for players and officials.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!