National Rugby League CEO Todd Greenberg revealed that players at all 16 NRL clubs "were advised last year to erase betting apps from their phones to ensure they were not tempted to wager on the game," according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The competition is "in the throes of another betting scandal," with Wests Tigers player Tim Simona "expected to this week front the NRL integrity unit." Players, coaches, officials and player agents are "banned from betting on NRL games." Greenberg said that players had been "reminded about the serious consequences of betting on the sport, no matter the amount of money wagered." Greenberg added, "I remember [he said] 'If you've got apps on your phone and you want to bet on other sports that's entirely your choice ... but my strong advice to you is have those apps off your phone because in three clicks you could be betting on something.'" The weight of the penalty set to be handed to Simona "has been a point of contention since it was mooted that he would receive a life ban." Greenberg indicated there "was unlikely to be any way back into the code for Simona if it was found he bet on an opposition player." Greenberg: "There are things that happen in a game where people make errors and mistakes and I think the game has been very forgiving over a period of time. ... But there are also things that absolutely are the fundamental integrity of the sport itself and this is one of those. ... If you do want to bet on rugby league, that's entirely your choice. But guess what -- you can't be an NRL contracted player. You can't have both so make a decision" (SMH, 3/5).
