Titans linked to NRL bet ban

[titanstattman]

THE Gold Coast Titans are in the centre of another controversy after a betting agency suspended its futures markets bets on the NRL fearing a bombshell scandal involving the club is about to unfold.

The decision from Sportsbet. com.au appears to be based on whether or not a Four Corners program -- that may not air -- will shed new information on the club.

All parties to the controversy are waiting to see if the NRL will make a statement tomorrow but in an unusual twist of events, all other betting agencies are going unchanged.

An NRL investigation last month of claims by Simcorp boss Alex Simpson in relation to Titans captain Scott Prince cleared the player of any wrongdoing.

It is unclear if the Four Corners program has re-hashed any of Mr Simpson's claims.

Sportsbet.com.au on Saturday morning cancelled premiership bets -- on the eventual 2010 grand final winner -- but the NRL, Titans and other agencies say rumours the agency have heard are unfounded and believe the suspension could be an overly cautious reaction to the Melbourne Storm controversy, or a media stunt.

Most betting agencies close all future markets, besides the premiership, over the weekend.

Sportsbet.com.au spokesman Ian Loughlin said the closure of its premiership futures bets were in addition to other futures, including wooden spoon, top four and top eight 'to the benefit of all parties'.

He said the agency was waiting on a response from the NRL in relation to 'any further investigation' of a possible salary cap breach at the Titans.

Mr Loughlin said he was also awaiting advice on whether the Melbourne Storm were disqualified from the competition or deemed last after their salary cap scandal.


"We don't want a repeat of what happened in the Storm," said Mr Loughlin.

"We look to the NRL for a directive on the matters.

"(The suspension will stand) until we are aware of what is going to transpire with any further investigation or possible loss of points."

It is believed the betting agency made the decision after hearing that ABC program Four Corners would air its investigation into NRL clubs on television tonight.

However, publicists for the program said tonight's screening was not related to the NRL.

An NRL spokesman said there was no substance to agency speculation of a potential bombshell involving the Titans.

Titans boss Michael Searle said any rumour of a Titans salary scandal was unfounded.

"If bookmakers know about an investigation before the NRL or we do, then that's a sad indictment on rugby league," he said.

Titans coach John Cartwright said he was unconcerned about reports the betting agency had suspended wagering on its NRL futures market.

It is believed sportsbet.com.au will request to talk to the NRL before it considers re-opening some of its futures bets tomorrow.

www.goldcoast.com.au

[karnage]

I am worried sick about this.

Channel 10 led their sports bulletin with this story and there was more added to this saga in the Courier Mail today which reports that Simcorp is going for another $300,000 in unclaimed bills that we supposedly loaned for paying wages that we couldn't afford.

It all reeks of desperation from this Simcorp guy but until it is fully cleared for sure I will not rest easy at any stage.

[titanstattman]

SPORTSBET.com.au has lashed out at the NRL saying its handling of salary cap investigations had the betting agency constantly worrying it was about to be blindsided again in a similar style to the recent Melbourne Storm fiasco.

The online betting agency has suspended all bets on who will win the NRL premiership on the back of rumours that ABC's Four Corners would reveal new information involving the Gold Coast Titans in a report last night.

The story did not end up running but Sportsbet.com.au spokesman Ian Loughlin said the agency was forced to make the 'prudent decision' because it could not trust the NRL.

"In my opinion the NRL do not show due diligence in making their information transparent and because of that we are led to make decisions such as this given the lack of information coming from them," he said.

"We've done what we deem to be prudent until more is known ... it could be proven that our information is wrong and that it might've been a storm in a tea cup.

"It is very volatile in the NRL at the moment."

Mr Loughlin said Sportsbet. com.au would reconsider it options to reopen betting this morning but while premiership, Dally M and leading try-scorer may reopen he said other futures markets would stay closed.

"It would be foolish to open Top 4 and Top 8 betting because the Titans feature heavily in that," he said.

Bill Richmond, from Sportingbet, said he was developing a relationship with the NRL but admitted bookies were anxious about being 'caught off guard' again.

"Maybe some people are jumping at shadows but you can't let that dictate your business," he said.


NRL spokesman John Brady denied the league was not transparent and said there were no new developments in the completed Titans investigation which cleared the club of salary cap allegations.

Also in Gold Coast News

www.goldcoast.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Good news about it not being aired. Hopefully it does not at all.

Tells me ther wasn't enough substance or "fictitious narrative" to cobble together a story.