Interesting . I hear Rob has signed a pay as you play deal with Hull rugby union side . Was due to make his debut in a pre season game on Friday but the RFU have stepped in and at the minute are not allowing him to play. They are awaiting further info from the RFL . I will be surprised if he gets the go ahead . Hull RU are aware of the situation and are seeking clarification from the RFU.

I wonder if Rob has had a bet on the RFL outcome as to if he can play or not?

What were the odds on that !

Nobody at Rob's house had ever read that no-gambling rule.





More seriously, governing bodies are required to establish rules to limit corruption by the Gambling Act so, as it's a Government thing, it's harder to sweep this stuff under the carpet by saying that nobody's been suspended for it before or summat.

There is no betting at the level of Hull RU, would be no threat to the games integrity and therefore needless to ban him.

There is, actually. You can bet on owt these days.

Setting that aside, there's a long standing agreement to respect each other's suspensions. Back in the Northern Union days, the NU wouldn't let a player who'd been suspended by the RFU for professionalism play in the NU comp. A Coventry player, if I remember rightly. Seems crazy to me.



Anyway, the real problem is that it's the law of the land - not just some RFL or RFU rule.

Can you point out where this betting takes place at that level?

I'd like to bet on it.

I'm being serious, I would appreciate a pointer.

I'm not sure it is the law of the land, no charges have been brought against any players in any sport as far as I'm aware for placing bets, match fixing is the criminal offence. No one has accused Rob Worrincy of fixing matches.

Same place every bet takes place, a bookies. You can bet on the colour of the sky if you want to, not sure about the odds but they would take your money.

I'm a bookmaker, there is no betting on English Rugby below Champ 1 in RL, and Championship (div 2) in RU. If there is you would be doing me a great favour if you can point me in the right direction.

I have never entered a bookies in my life nor ever placed a bet so obviously I know nothing about it, but, are you telling me that if I entered a local bookies (which I won't) and placed a bet which (I wouldn't) that say, Siddal would beat there next opponents would they not give me odds and accept my bet?
Just interested?

Ladbrokes, Corals etc wouldn't no. Joe Bloggs independent bookmaker with one shop in siddal might, but even that is highly highly unlikely.

Gambling Act 2007 makes governing bodies responsible for preventing corruption. They have to put together an effective framework. It's had to maintain that it's effective if they just let people off. That's why the penalties are so high for relatively trivial matters. It's why players are told at the beginning of the season not to bet on rugby league. The RFL won't water it down because they could then be seen to be committing an offence themselves by not setting up an adequate system. Why should they put themselves at risk ?

It's just how it is.

As for Rob not fixing games, there were a few comments on this very forum about him betting against Fax. Not a widespread view but not "no-one" either.

If it was found somebody had a bet last season could he get away without a ban?

Doubt it. My understanding is that it goes back as far as whenever the regs came in which was .... erm ...... a bit since.

Browny will know. He works at a bookies.

Just been in and Joe said no. So you were right.

What if he'd been a dual-reg player while he had a bet, would that help get him his ban quashed ?

Just saying like....

Betting on games does not equate to corruption.

Even betting on your own games (for small stakes) does not equate to corruption. The government making bodies responsible for preventing corruption does not make betting on the sport without the match fixing element a criminal offence.

Call it what you want. Doesn't matter - the current regs are that if you get caught betting, you're banned. Bye bye, pay packet.

It's just not worth it. Betting for small stakes at the risk of losing even a well-paid part time job - let alone a full time one ? Come on ...

I'm not contesting the original punishment. I stated that he would not be a threat to the integrity of games at Hull RU's level as there is no betting. Which there isn't.

My other point is that RW has broken no law, which he hasn't, he has broken rules.

Let me first of all say I would be happy to see Rob in Fax colours again, all this tom tit "he should never wear a Fax shirt again" because he bet on Fax losing to me is simply silly.
BUT, no it was not illegal, but, he broke the rules.
Break the rules of your employer and you face the consequences.
Which I think he has.
Me? punishment enough out of the game all season, let him get back to plying his trade.
Let him without blame cast the first stone.

I'm afraid his integrity is permanently damaged. When he knocks on over the line in the dying seconds what will people's reaction be? Wasn't the real nature of the offence also revealed to be much worse after we appealed? That brings the question of trust and lack of full disclosure, which embarrassed the club at the appeal.

Perhaps time (and a new coach) may heal the damage done but fans will have longer memories.

With Alex Brown supposedly a done deal, is this one of the 7 in's and out's?