NRL referee Ashley Klein's gambling history and his upcoming State of Origin match
Consensus Summary
NRL referee Ashley Klein’s gambling history, involving losses of over $400,000 on horse and greyhound racing between 2019 and 2023, has been revealed by multiple sources. The NRL investigated the issue in 2019 and found no breaches of its rules, allowing Klein to continue refereeing at the highest level, including the upcoming State of Origin match on June 12, 2026. Klein confirmed his addiction was unrelated to rugby league betting and that he sought help, closing all gambling accounts. While the NRL maintains its decision to clear him stands, critics argue the public revelation of his past gambling problem—especially given his role as a top referee—raises concerns about integrity risks. Coaches Billy Slater and Laurie Daley have publicly defended Klein, stating his personal history should not impact his ability to officiate. The NRL’s close ties to the wagering industry, including sponsorships and product fees, add context to the broader scrutiny of gambling in sports.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ashley Klein lost more than $400,000 gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing before closing his accounts and placing himself on BetStop in 2023.
- The NRL first became aware of Klein’s gambling issues in 2019 and investigated the matter, finding no breaches of NRL rules or policies.
- Klein confirmed his gambling problem was related to horse racing and greyhound racing, not rugby league, and that it never impacted his job as a referee.
- Klein is set to referee the second State of Origin match on June 12, 2026, at the MCG in Melbourne, marking his 14th consecutive Origin game.
- NRL referees are banned from betting on rugby league matches but are allowed to bet on other sports, including horse and greyhound racing.
- Klein has refereed in the NRL for 17 years and is one of only three referees to adjudicate in 400 games in the competition.
- The NRL Integrity Unit invoked special measures in 2019 to monitor Klein’s betting activities across all sports, not just rugby league.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Klein’s partner was until recently an adviser to NSW Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris, and Racing NSW’s CEO Peter V’landys is also chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and will become interim NRL CEO from July 15, 2026.
- The NRL has lucrative ties to the wagering industry, including an estimated $15 million annual sponsorship with Sportsbet and collects over $50 million yearly in product fees from bookmakers.
- The Albanese government announced restrictions on gambling advertising, including a ban on betting sponsorships on jerseys and in stadiums, with existing deals grandfathered until expiration.
- Former AFL umpire Michael Pell is facing charges over allegedly suspicious gambling on the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow Medal counts, with a committal hearing scheduled for June 24, 2026.
- The NRL Integrity Unit obtained far-reaching powers in 2019 to monitor Klein’s betting activities on all sports, not just rugby league, but found no evidence of betting on NRL matches.
- The article argues the NRL should stand down Klein from the Origin match to allow the public to digest the issue, given the negative perception of referees and gambling scandals.
- Billy Slater and Laurie Daley publicly defended Klein, calling it 'unfair' to air his personal gambling history and stating it would not impact his ability to referee the Origin match.
- Klein’s gambling problem was confirmed to have occurred 'many years ago,' with the NRL stating it was investigated and resolved in 2019.
- The ABC article includes a photo of Klein attending the Sydney Racing at Newcastle Racecourse in November 2025, highlighting his past association with racing events.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SMH states the NRL Integrity Unit invoked special measures in 2019 to monitor Klein’s betting activities across all sports, while the ABC does not mention this specific detail.
- The SMH suggests the public perception of Klein’s gambling history may warrant his removal from the Origin match, while the ABC highlights that coaches Slater and Daley support his continued participation.
Source Articles
NRL’s number one referee had $400k gambling problem
The NRL’s top referee Ashley Klein lost hundreds of thousands of dollars betting on horse racing and greyhound racing but was allowed to keep officiating in the sport’s biggest games.
'Difficult period': Top NRL ref confirms he had gambling problem
Origin referee Ashley Klein has confirmed he battled with a gambling addiction after a report claimed he lost $400,000.
The NRL needs to stand down Ashley Klein from Origin
Plus, the selection of Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase in the NSW side following the withdrawal of Bulldogs pair Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz has left his club fuming.
'Unfair on him': Origin coaches back ref after gambling history revealed
Billy Slater and Laurie Daley come to the defence of referee Ashley Klein after his gambling debt history was revealed earlier in the week.