The National Rugby League’s top referee, Ashley Klein, has acknowledged that he previously sought help for a gambling problem, according to a statement provided to The Sydney Morning Herald. Klein, who is scheduled to referee State of Origin II on Wednesday, said his gambling was connected to horse racing and greyhound racing, not rugby league, and insisted it never affected his work as a match official.
In his statement, Klein said the issue developed “many years ago” and that he received help to address it. He said he closed all associated betting accounts after recognizing the problem and described the period as difficult, but one that did not influence his duties on the field. The SMH report said Klein lost about $400,000, though that figure was reported by the newspaper and not independently detailed in his statement.
The NRL told the SMH it became aware of Klein’s gambling issues seven years ago and that the matter was investigated to the satisfaction of NRL management. The governing body said it took appropriate steps to ensure there were no breaches of NRL rules or policies. An NRL spokesman said Klein’s role as a match official has not been impacted at any stage.
The league also said it routinely provides education to officials on rules and policy as part of its normal processes. However, it declined to provide further comment, saying the matter is an employment issue.
Klein is regarded as one of the NRL’s leading referees and has been selected for a high-profile assignment in State of Origin II, one of rugby league’s most watched fixtures. His admission comes amid significant public attention on the officiating team for the series.
The statement emphasizes that his gambling problem was limited to betting on non-rugby league events and that he has taken steps to address it. Klein’s account suggests the matter is historical and has already been dealt with internally by the NRL.
The revelation has prompted scrutiny because of the seniority of his position and the visibility of the upcoming Origin match. Still, both Klein and the NRL stressed that his professional performance and eligibility to officiate were not compromised.
According to the published report, the issue was known to the NRL years ago, handled through internal processes, and did not result in any ongoing restrictions on Klein’s work. The league has maintained that it followed its rules and procedures appropriately and that the referee continued in his duties without interruption.
Klein’s statement portrays the episode as a personal challenge that he addressed with professional help and by shutting down his betting activity. The NRL’s response indicates the organization considered the matter resolved after review.
