Life ban threat for bets

League chief defends commercial ties to betting agencies

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg will not hesitate to ban for life any player found guilty of breaking betting rules.

Greenberg defended the game’s close association with gambling following the Tim Simona investigation, saying players had been given enough education and were acutely aware of their responsibilities.

Police said yesterday they had started investigating allegations Wests Tigers centre Simona arranged for bets to be placed on players he was marking.

“Detectives from the organised crime unit under Strike Force Nuralda have met with the NRL integrity unit in relation to the reported conduct of a 25-year-old player,” a police spokeswoman said.

Greenberg vowed to come down with the full weight of the rule book on anyone found in breach of the game’s betting code.

Asked if he would hesitate to ban anyone for life, he said: “There are massive penalties in place for players that do the wrong thing and the integrity of the game is central to that.

“If and when we need to make some hard decisions, we’ll make them.”

It has been reported Simona allegedly organised for bets to be placed through associates.

It is alleged the bets were minor but placed on players he was marking to score tries.

Simona, who has played 79 games for the Tigers since his debut, has been stood down while he is being investigated.

The NRL issued him with a notice of intention to cancel his registration and is facing being rubbed out of the game.

Under the NRL’s betting code: “No NRL employee, NRL club employee, player, player manager or game official is allowed to participate, or be directly or indirectly involved in any way, in gambling in relation to rugby league. Or be involved directly or indirectly, in the provision of information not already in the public domain that might assist another person to gamble in relation to rugby league.”

Greenberg defended NRL ties to betting agencies and the prolific advertisement of odds during matches.

He said players were aware they could not bet on matches and the affair had nothing to do with gambling advertising.

“Players are acutely aware of their responsibilities,” Greenberg said.

“And if they do and are found guilty, there will be significant ramifications.

“Players put at great jeopardy their careers if they consider that.

“It’s well-understood, it’s contractual, there’s enough education, every player knows the rules.”