NRL clarified gambling rules by warning against betting apps

March 6, 2017 3:24 pm.by Sarah O'Brien

Greenberg and Weeks NRL — NRL chief Todd Greenberg with NRL chief operating officer Nick Weeks.

NRL chief, Todd Greenberg, has refuted claims the code’s gambling restrictions had not been clarified adequately to players.

Greenberg revealed all players were warned about having betting apps on their mobile devices last year.

All 16 NRL clubs, as well as bookmakers, are still reeling from the latest betting scandal involving West Tigers’ centre, Tim Simona, who is is expected to front the NRL integrity unit this week.

It has been reported he will face a long stint on the sidelines or even a life-long ban from the sport if the allegation he bet on opposition players is proven.

The consequences have been a point of contention long before the incident with Simona, with critics claiming the NRL hasn’t made rules around gambling clear enough to players.

But Greenberg revealed integrity unit chief, Nick Weeks, advised players to delete all gambling applications off their smartphones to remove any temptation.

While all players, officials and player agents aren’t legally allowed to bet on NRL games, they can wager on other sporting events, such as soccer, cricket and more.

Greenberg revealed in an interview to Triple M on Sunday that Weeks told players they’d be better off removing them altogether.

“Last year I visited all 16 clubs and I had Nick Weeks, who heads up our integrity unit, with me,” Greenberg told Triple M on Sunday.

“I remember [he said] ‘If you’ve got apps on your phone and you want to bet on other sports that’s entirely your choice … but my strong advice to you is have those apps off your phone because in three clicks you could be betting on something’.”

Grenberg added they made it “crystal clear” that if you’re a NRL contracted player you should stay away from all betting, with the consequences clearly outlined to all.

“I’ve seen so much education provided to young footballers about what they can and can’t do,” Greenberg said.

He revealed players are schooled in all areas from drugs to gambling.

“There should be no player in the NRL who is under false pretence that betting on rugby league is on,” Greenberg said.

“If you do want to bet on rugby league, that’s entirely your choice. But guess what – you can’t be an NRL contracted player. You can’t have both so make a decision.”

While Greenberg didn’t want to speculate whether Simona would be banned from the game, he did say it wasn’t likely he would be able to get back into the code.

“Obviously there is always two sides to every story and we’ve got to deal with facts and evidence but some of the things I’ve seen and read … just can’t be stood for in the game,” Greenberg said.

“There are things that happen in the game where people make errors and mistakes and I think the game has been very forgiving over a period of time.

“It has a great history and track record of making sure people get second chances.

“But there are also things that absolutely are the fundamental integrity of the sport itself and this is one of those.”