NSW Police find 'no evidence' of match-fixing in NRL

Following a two-year investigation into allegations of match fixing within the NRL, NSW Police will not press criminal charges despite saying they found evidence of illegal gambling, drug supply and money laundering.

The investigation, codenamed Strike Force Nuralda, uncovered evidence of insider betting, where players and officials allegedly passed on secret information to gamblers, police said.

Investigators said while they found evidence of suspicious betting behaviour, no-one has been, or will be, prosecuted.

It is understood NSW Police will not seek to lay charges because the alleged offences date back to 2015 and fall outside the six-month statutory limitation on insider gambling offences.

In a statement, detectives from the NSW Organised Crime Squad said they also uncovered a number of potential criminal offences including drug supply and money laundering which are not connected to the NRL.

The statement advised "these matters have been referred to other investigators from the Organised Crime Squad to conduct further inquiries.

"While detectives have not preferred criminal charges relating to these issues, their investigation highlighted activities and practices that are deemed as high-risk for the NRL.

"Representatives of Strike Force Nuralda have recently met with the NRL and provided recommendations to ensure the integrity of the code is not compromised by the infiltration of organised crime."

Police said information related to potential money-laundering allegations would be referred to the financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, for investigation.

NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg advised that he was reassured to know there was no evidence of match-fixing, advising "while that is pleasing, we will never become complacent and will continue to work with the police to deal with any issues identified which have the potential to compromise the integrity of our sport.

"In particular, we will continue to work with the clubs and players on drug and gambling programs and to educate players on the need to make the right lifestyle choices."

The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad began examining the alleged influence of organised crime groups on match fixing within the NRL in October 2015.

Police have since conducted 59 search warrants and have seized 46,000 pages of documents, more than 300 pages of financial transactions and more than 1,000 pages of telephone data.

Detectives spoke to 161 witnesses, including players, referees, club officials and professional punters.

They identified 13 persons of interest and interviewed dozens of people under oath in the NSW Crime Commission.

Strike Force Nuralda has now stopped operations. 

26th June 2017 - ICSS ESTABLISHES ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT TO BACK SPORTS INDUSTRY INVESTIGATIONS 

15th June 2017 - QUEENSLAND TENNIS PLAYER CHARGED WITH MATCH-FIXING AT ATP CHALLENGER TOURNAMENT 

24th May 2017 - RISING TENNIS STAR ANDERSON SPARED JAIL IN MATCH-FIXING CASE 

7th September 2016 - POLICE TO INTERVIEW NRL PLAYERS IN MATCH-FIXING PROBE 

5th August 2016 - NSW POLICE INVESTIGATE FURTHER NRL MATCH-FIXING ALLEGATIONS

19th July 2016 - NSW GOVERNMENT SACKS PARRAMATTA EELS BOARD

17th June 2016 - NRL LEADERS TOLD OF 4% ATTENDANCE RISE THIS SEASON

2nd June 2016 - NSW POLICE TO INVESTIGATE NRL MATCH-FIXING ALLEGATIONS 

3rd December 2015 - NRL CLUBS AGREE NEW FUNDING DEAL

27th November 2015 - NRL ANNOUNCES $1.8 BILLION BROADCAST DEAL WITH FOX SPORTS AND CHANNEL NINE

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.