RFL suspends Ryan Atkins for betting offence

The Rugby Football League has issued the player a three-month suspension for betting on a match involving his former club.

UK.- The Rugby Football League (RFL) has suspended Ryan Atkins for three months after he admitted betting on a clash between his former club, Wakefield Trinity, and Wigan Warriors.

Atkins was not registered with a club when he made the bet in September but the RFL said the fact that he had been registered with Trinity in the previous 12 months put him in breach of the league’s player Betting and Related Activity Code of Conduct.

The RFL accepted that Atkins was no longer a Wakefield player and did not use inside information when he made the single bet. It also said that he had admitted the charge and cooperated fully with the investigation. 

It said: “The sanction imposed reflects these and other mitigating factors, but acknowledges that betting on Rugby League matches by any individual bound by the RFL’s Operational Rules is a strict liability offence. Professional players are offered education and support around gambling.”

Atkins said in a statement: “I regret placing the bet, and if I could wind back the clock I would not have done so. I’d like to thank the RFL for the fair decision and York City Knights for their support and standing by me during this difficult time.

“I look forward to meeting up with the squad early February and paying back that support.”

Meanwhile, IBIA has revealed an increase in suspicious betting reports in the last quarter.