Troubled Broncos star Joe Ofahengaue embroiled in casino cheating controversy

UPDATE: A Brisbane Bronco has been fined for cheating during a card game, with the court detailing just what occurred at the Treasury Casino that night.

BRONCOS player Joe Ofahengaue was caught cheating after casino security reviewed footage of him winning a hand of poker and noticed him slip a $100 chip underneath the $15 he already had on the table.

The details of the bizarre incident were aired in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday morning, after Ofahengaue pleaded guilty in writing to one charge of cheating by fraudulent act or scheme.

Police prosecutor Sen Const Wade Domagala said Ofahengaue was at the Treasury Casino about 5.45am on April 8 when he won the hand of poker and slipped “a $100 chip under the $15 chip”.

He said the dealer did not see the sleight of hand, but when security reviewed the footage the ruse was apparent.

“The defendant returned the money after being challenged by security and left the area,” Sen Const Domagala said.

The court was told Ofahengaue returned later in the day and gave security his name and address.

On April 12, he made admissions to police and was charged.

Ofahengaue did not give a reason why he could not appear personally to face the charge, as his written plea simply said he was “unable to attend court on the day mentioned”.

Magistrate John McGrath read the written plea of guilty to the court and said there was “no further information”.

Mr McGrath said the offence was a “calculated act”, but to Ofahengaue’s credit he returned the money and left when challenged.

He fined the Broncos player $400 and did not record a conviction.

EARLIER: Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue has fallen foul of the law again after being caught up in a casino cheating controversy.

Ofahengaue, who played against the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, is due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday on a charge of cheating by fraudulent act, practice or scheme.

The charge is understood to be related to an incident at a card table at a casino.

Ofahengaue is not expected to appear in court in person.

Ofahengaue leaves court after being fined $250 for driving without a licence.

Broncos CEO Paul White confirmed Ofahengaue had alerted the club to the matter.

“The club is aware of the matter and has notified the NRL Integrity Unit about it,” White said.

“We will allow due course to run and then determine if any further action is to be taken.”

Ofahengaue, 21, was a member of Brisbane’s 2015 NRL grand final team which lost to the Cowboys.

The nephew of ex-Wallabies player Willie Ofahengaue, he was dropped from the NRL midway through last season by coach Wayne Bennett.

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He only returned to the Broncos NRL team a fortnight ago after spending the early part of the season playing reserve grade.

Ofahengaue, a Tongan Test player, appeared in court last September to plead guilty to a charge of driving unlicensed and was fined $250.

Ofahengaue told The Courier Mail this week he battled mental demons after being dropped last season.

“It was some stupid stuff I was going through in my head and at home,” Ofahengaue said.

Ofahengaue revealed he battled mental demons last season.

“I went and had a chat to (Bennett) and told him what I was going through and how I felt about it. We settled it out last year.

“Hopefully I can restart again in my short career.

“As a player I have matured a little bit. What I forgot is I had age on my side.

“I have dealt with everything I was going through.”