Top NRL Referee Ashley Klein Confirms Past Gambling Addiction, Says It Never Affected His Work
NRL referee Ashley Klein has publicly confirmed he battled a gambling addiction involving horse and greyhound racing, following a media report that he lost more than $400,000. The NRL said it first became aware of the issue in 2019, investigated the matter, and determined no rules were breached, allowing Klein to continue officiating at the highest level. The revelation raises questions about sports integrity safeguards, particularly given that referees have significant influence over game outcomes and micro-elements that can be wagered on.
Ashley Klein, one of the NRL's most prominent referees and the only official to have refereed 14 consecutive State of Origin matches, confirmed in a statement that he developed a gambling problem on horse and greyhound racing 'many years ago,' received help, and closed all associated betting accounts. A Sydney Morning Herald investigation reported that Klein lost more than $400,000 with corporate bookmakers before placing himself on BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, in 2023. The NRL said it was aware of the matter since 2019, conducted an investigation, and found no breach of its rules, which prohibit referees from betting on rugby league but permit wagering on other sports including racing. There is no suggestion Klein ever bet on rugby league or acted inappropriately as a match official. Klein is still scheduled to referee State of Origin II in Melbourne on Wednesday. Sports integrity experts, including University of NSW visiting scholar Dr Catherine Ordway, warned that referees with gambling vulnerabilities present heightened integrity risks because of their unique ability to influence not just match outcomes but specific in-game events that can be bet on, and called for referees to be banned from betting on any sport.
What's missing
It is unclear what specific monitoring or integrity measures the NRL put in place after its 2019 investigation, beyond speaking to Klein about the issue.
How coverage differed
The Brisbane Times/SMH framed the story as an investigative exposé, emphasising the NRL's decision to allow Klein to continue officiating despite knowing about his gambling for years and raising broader integrity concerns through expert commentary. ABC Australia adopted a more straightforward, reactive tone focused on Klein's personal statement and the NRL's response, with less emphasis on systemic integrity questions.
What different sources said
- Brisbane TimesCenter
NRL’s number one referee had $400k gambling problem
- ABC AustraliaCenter
'Difficult period': Top NRL ref confirms he had gambling problem
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