Police charge two men over Dally M betting sting
NSW Police executed search warrants at two residences and a business premises last week.Credit:NSW Police
NSW police have charged two men in connection with a Dally M betting scandal which netted thousands of dollars in winnings after Melbourne's Craig Bellamy won the coveted award.
Detectives attached to Strike Force Mirrabei have charged a 29-year-old and 31-year-old with using inside information to bet on event and possess inside information communicate to other to bet on event.
The Herald revealed in March the NRL's integrity unit has referred suspicious betting patterns on the award to the police, whose Casino and Racing Investigation Unit set up a probe into the incident.
They seized electronic material from three properties in Sydney last week to further their investigations, fuelling the charges on Thursday morning.
Police will allege in court that the men placed bets on the 2019 Dally M Coach of the Year Award winner with prior knowledge of the result.
It will also be alleged that they shared information with other individuals, who in turn placed bets with various betting agencies.
Bellamy was sensationally backed into $1.80 favouritism with some bookmakers after originally being considered an outsider in a market which was dominated by Manly's Des Hasler, Canberra's Ricky Stuart and the Eels' Brad Arthur.
The men are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 20 August 2020.
Investigations under Strike Force Mirrabei are continuing.
The NRL will become the first professional sporting code in Australia to reboot their season after the COVID-19 shutdowns on Thursday night when the Broncos clash with the Eels at Suncorp Stadium.
More to come