Crime lord links in NRL gambling probe

TWO of the country’s biggest crime figures – known for drug trafficking and money laundering – have been linked to a number of first grade rugby league players after NSW Police’s probe into NRL match fixing allegations.

The investigation also found crime figures supplied players with prostitutes, cocaine and encouraged them to gamble to get “inside” information for betting on NRL games, but failed to uncover any evidence of match fixing relating to three matches in 2015 and one in 2016.

Police said while they found no evidence the games were rigged, they did detect a number of irregular bets made by individuals, including $100,000 placed by people acting for a major gambler.

Others, including players and former players, were observed making much larger bets than their regular punts.

Some regular $50 punters were instead recorded betting $10,000 and $15,000 at a time.

Strike Force Nuralda, which was set up after police were contacted by the NRL and betting agencies to look into the four matches, identified 13 persons of interest.

“While investigators were provided information and noted suspicious betting behaviour, no one has been or will be prosecuted under Strike Force Nuralda,’’ police said yesterday.

Senior police this week warned the NRL while no one would be charged there were some clubs and players they believed were vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.

Two senior officers from the Organised Crime Squad will meet every NRL club CEO in coming months to discuss strategies clubs can use to decrease the risk to their players.