Blog with Buzz: NRL game-day phone ban to stop the match fixers

BLOG with Buzz from 9am (AEDT): Players may have their mobile phones confiscated on game day as the NRL cracks down on gambling.

Former NRL player Ryan Tandy at The Downing Centre Court in Sydney.

PLAYERS may have their mobile phones confiscated on game day as part of the biggest NRL crackdown on gambling security in the game's history.

The code's integrity unit is working on strict new guidelines as bookmakers and the TAB prepare for a $500 million betting spree on the 2014 premiership.

The possibility of new photo identification for players, coaches and officials to restrict access to dressing rooms is also under consideration.

At the moment it's almost open slather in NRL dressing sheds where any knockabout who knows the right people is allowed in.

HAVE YOUR SAY: JOIN BUZZ AS HE BLOGS FROM 9AM

The only rules in place are lightweight compared to other sports, even despite the Ryan Tandy match-fixing scandal in 2010.

There is nothing to stop players or officials passing on last minute information on team changes to punters or bookies in the hours leading up to kick-off.

Players, coaches, officials and managers are not allowed to bet on games but there is nothing to stop family or friends from having a flutter.

News_Image_File: Ryan Tandy leaves City Central Police Station in Sydney after being charged with providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency during an investigation into suspicious betting activity during the Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys round 24 game at Dairy Farmers Stadium on 21/08/2010.

The integrity unit has been working on more stringent security since the end of last season.

Rugby league betting has grown from a $50 million-a-season industry a decade ago to an expected $500 million in 2014.

The TAB has roughly 40 per cent of the market with corporate bookmakers sharing the rest.

Around $20 million will be bet on each round of the competition.

The integrity unit will put the new laws the players association before the premiership kick-off in March.

The NRL is making a concerted effort to distance itself from sports betting.

In previous years the code has had marketing and advertising partnerships with Tom Waterhouse and the NSW TAB but not anymore.

A decision was made recently to cut all officials links.

Channel Nine will no longer have Tom Waterhouse sponsoring their NRL broadcasts this year but have signed up sportsbet.com.au as a major advertiser.

The changes will bring rugby league more into line with the far greater betting scrutiny in cricket.

News_Image_File: Ryan Tandy leaves Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney, to face more charges following his conviction last month in NRL betting scandal from team's 2010 NRL game against North Queensland.

The ICC has an anti-corruption unit that sends officers to every international game.

They have also attended Big Bash matches this summer and will ask questions about anything remotely suspicious.

Repeated no-balls, dropped catches, the number of runs off an over, wickets or anything even slightly doubtful.

A British man with a laptop in the crowd was arrested at a Big bash game at Etihad Stadium.

The next day he was cautioned at a game in Sydney.

Players have to hand in their mobile phones before entering the dressing room at every game.

Even Australian Cricket CEO James Sutherland has to hand in his mobile before entering the players' area.

Only the team manager is allowed a phone in the rooms in case of a medical emergency.

Rugby league has nothing like the massive global betting interest in cricket.

Still the changes are long overdue and can only help protect the game's image and integrity.

News_Rich_Media: South Sydney forward Sam Burgess is rumoured to be switching to Rugby Union. Here are some of the Englishman's best moments in the NRL.

BURGESS RUMOUR STROKES THE FIRE OF A BITTER RIVALRY

The Sunday Telegraph's big story on Sam Burgess being ­offered $2 million to play in the rugby World Cup has turned the Rabbitohs v Roosters opening- round premiership game into an even bigger grudge match.

The reason is that Souths have accused the Roosters ­hierarchy of leaking the story to unsettle their club on the eve of the premiership.

The Roosters recently signed Great Britain Test coach Steve McNamara as an assistant to Trent Robinson.

Nobody has better contacts in English football circles and word quickly spread around Bondi Junction.

Roosters bosses have powerful connections in the media and corporate Sydney.

Souths boss Shane Richardson had been desperately trying to handle the very delicate negotiations ''in house''.

But the Souths v Roosters rivalry is as bitter as ever.

Roosters boss Nick Politis remains furious that actor Russell Crowe has managed to convince James Packer to become a major sponsor of the Rabbitohs - and possibly even a shareholder.

Politis is a lifelong friend of the Packer family and attended James's wedding on the French Riviera in 2007.

READ THE ORIGINAL: BURGESS EYES RICH UNION DEAL

News_Rich_Media: Returning paceman Mitchell Starc warns there will be no sympathy for England as Australia look to make another series clean sweep in tonight's final T20 International at ANZ Stadium.

HIGHLIGHT

The Poms going home. Good riddance.

LOWLIGHT

The news that Sam Burgess may be lost to the NRL along with Sonny Bill Williams at the end of the season. The sooner the new salary cap rules are introduced to allow our champions to be properly paid the better.

OPINION: BURGESS SWITCH NOT A DISASTER

WAIT IS OVER

Rugby league is back. The trials start this weekend and they can't come quickly enough. We're over a summer of lopsided cricket where the Poms were hopelessly outplayed and from day one in Tests, one-dayers and T20. As much as we enjoyed Australia's domination, sport is all about edge-of-your seat anticipation where you turn up to a venue or turn on the television to see a contest.