The NRL’s No.1 referee has admitted that he was forced to seek help for a gambling problem.
In a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ashley Klein, who will take the whistle for State of Origin II on Wednesday, said his gambling problem related to horse racing and greyhounds.
NRL referee Ashley Klein. Mark Nolan
The SMH report claims he lost $400,000.
“Many years ago I developed a problem with gambling on horse racing and greyhound racing,” Klein’s statement said.
“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…