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 alleging losses of more than $400,000. The NRL says it became aware of the issue in 2019, investigated it, and found no breaches of its rules, which prohibit referees from betting on rugby league but permit wagering on other sports. The disclosure raises questions about sports integrity safeguards, particularly given Klein's role as the code's most prominent match official and his appointment to referee State of Origin II.
Ashley Klein, one of only three NRL referees to have officiated 400 games and the official assigned to every State of Origin match since 2022, 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 registering on BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, in 2023. The NRL said it first learned of the matter in 2019, conducted an investigation satisfactory to management at the time, and took steps to ensure no rules were breached, adding that Klein's officiating role was never affected. Under current NRL policy, referees are banned from betting on rugby league but are free to wager on other sports including racing. Sports integrity expert Dr Catherine Ordway described a referee with a gambling problem as 'definitely a vulnerability,' noting that referees hold greater leverage to influence game outcomes — including micro-elements subject to betting — than players do, and called for referees to be banned from betting on any sport. The case emerges alongside broader scrutiny of gambling ties in Australian sport, including the AFL's handling of umpire Nick Foot's employment at Sportsbet and police charges against former AFL umpire Michael Pell over allegedly suspicious gambling on Brownlow Medal counts.
What's missing
It is not clear from either source what specific steps the NRL took after its 2019 investigation beyond conversations with Klein, nor whether any independent integrity body reviewed the matter. The precise timeline between when Klein's losses occurred and when the NRL was first notified is also not fully established.
How coverage differed
The Brisbane Times/Sydney Morning Herald framed the story as an investigative exposé, emphasising integrity risks, the NRL's decision to keep Klein officiating despite knowing of the problem for years, and expert calls for stricter betting bans on referees. ABC Australia's report was more reactive and neutral, foregrounding Klein's own statement and the NRL's response without the same emphasis on systemic integrity concerns.
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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