NRL match fixing: Eddie Hayson no stranger to playing the long odds

One of Australia’s biggest punters, Eddie Hayson, who is banned for life from betting at Star Casino, last night denied any wrongdoing with regard to match-fixing in the NRL.

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COLOURFUL racing identity Eddie Hayson has had a long and chequered history with betting agencies and NRL players.

The former owner of brothel Stiletto is alleged to be one of the men of interest in the early stages of the police investigation into match-fixing.

Once declared insolvent with $52 million in debts, he is one of Australia’s biggest punters but last night denied any wrongdoing.

Banned for life from betting at Star Casino, in February this year Hayson was also banned from betting with the TAB.

Two years ago Hayson declared he was down to his last $100 and was boarding in an apartment after his brothel business collapsed.

Racing king Eddie Hayson.

In 2006 he was embroiled in a controversy in regards to a betting plunge on the New Zealand Warriors, in which he won an estimated $2 million. There were allegations Hayson received inside information Newcastle legend and friend Andrew Johns would be pulling out of a clash against the Warriors, and placed a huge bet on the New Zealand team to win against the then-competition leaders.

An NRL investigation failed to find evidence of wrongdoing.

It seems Hayson is also known to Eels star Kieran Foran, who recently completed a stint in Brisbane for rehab.

Foran, his brother Liam and Hayson were spotted by senior Manly figures in a Brisbane nightclub the night of the Manly double header against Brisbane at Suncorp.

Sources close to Foran claim Hayson has taken a growing role in the NRL star’s life, along with Foran’s brother, Liam, who acts as Hayson’s assistant in business dealings.

It can also be revealed Foran’s recent stint in rehab was not the first time the Eels’ $5 million signing received treatment for personal issues.

It is understood Foran was admitted to a Brisbane rehab clinic back in January.