Ashley Klein admits to $400K gambling problem as NRL make statement

Ashley Klein has revealed that he had a serious gambling problem, with the NRL confirming they were made aware of the issue in 2019.

The NRL’s top referee, who will once again officiate State of Origin next Wednesday, detailed in a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald the extent of his problem.

Klein admitted that he ‘developed a problem with gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing’.

He stressed that the gambling was ‘not related to any betting on rugby league’.

The NRL also told The Sydney Morning Herald in a statement that the issue was ‘investigated to the satisfaction of NRL management’.

Ashley Klein admits to gambling problem

Klein is said to have lost more than $400,000 betting on horse racing and greyhound racing. It’s reported that he closed his accounts and put himself on BetStop in 2023.

“Many years ago I developed a problem with gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing,” Klein’s statement to the Herald reads.

“This gambling was not related to any betting on Rugby League, and my job as a referee has never been impacted.

“I received help to deal with the problem and closed all associated betting accounts. This was a difficult period of my life but one which did not in any way influence my job as a match official.”

NRL statement on Ashley Klein gambling problem

The NRL also sent a statement to the Herald, explaining that they were first made aware of the gambling problem in 2019. They insist ‘appropriate steps’ were taken to make sure there were no breaches of NRL rules.

“At no stage has Ashley Klein’s position as an NRL match official been impacted,” the NRL added.

“The NRL takes proactive steps as a matter of course to provide education relating to rules and policy. Given this is an employment matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

The NRL made the call that Klein had not breached rules and didn’t need to be stood down during the four-year period.