In light of recent accusations of players and managers betting on NRL matches, the league has announced that it will be taking a zero tolerance stance on gambling. This week, NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle has stated that there will no longer be any ambiguity with regards to rules against player betting.
The controversy started when the NRL announced that player David winger was suspended for the rest of the season after he was found to be betting on his club. Four other players received two-game suspensions after they were found to have bet on games in which their teams were not involved. 12 players receive warnings for placing small, ‘one-off’ bets.
Three other NRL officials were terminated and nine were suspended for the rest of the season. While the NRL tried to diffuse the situation by stated that the situation was not serious and only mall wagers were placed, local residents were not convinced. The league was called on to take serious action.
So, in addition to punishing the players, the NRL has also announced that it will be taking on a zero tolerance policy for any type of betting by players, officials and managers. “It’s really important for us moving forward that we have complete clarity, no ambiguity moving forward in regards to what you can and can’t do,” Doyle says.
“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 step”. The NRL will be working together with bookmakers across the country to ensure that players steer clear of betting on matches. It will conduct regular audits and maintain close contact with betting firms so that the league will be notified if any suspicious betting takes place.
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