Arrests made in NRL’s Dally M betting scandal

Police allege the NRL’s data partner leaked the winner of the coach of the year award, sparking a late flurry of bets.

NSW Police have charged two men after suspicious bets were placed on Craig Bellamy to win the 2019 Dally M Coach of the Year award. Picture: Brett Costello

Two men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged NRL betting scandal surrounding the winner of an award at last season’s annual Dally M medal awards night.

Strike Force Mirrabei have charged Joshua Wilson, 29, and Ben Trevisiol, 31, with using inside information to bet on the event and possess inside information to communicate to others to bet on an event.

Investigators executed search warrants at two separate residences in Paddington and Waterloo and a business premises in Surry Hills last Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

The arrests follow an extensive investigation after officers from the Casino and Racing Investigations Unit opened a probe last year when the NRL’s Integrity Unit asked NSW police to investigate large sums of cash and last-minute bets placed on Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy to win the Dally M Coach of the Year award.

Police confirmed it was Wilson’s sports technology company, StatEdge, that organised the Dally M voting for the NRL and allege the pair shared information with other individuals who placed bets with various betting agencies.

“In November 2019, Strike Force Mirrabei was established by the Organised Crime Squad’s Casino and Racing Investigation Unit after the NRL Integrity Unit reported suspicious betting activity on the 2019 Dally M Coach of the Year Award,” police confirmed in a statement.

“Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed search warrants at two separate residences in Paddington and Waterloo and a business premises in Surry Hills last Wednesday.”

Police seized electronic devices during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

During the searches police seized documentation, electronic devices and computers.

Wilson and Trevisiol are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 20 August.

Ballamy’s victory raised suspicions after the NRL’s official Twitter account announced he was the winner 20 minutes before it was officially confirmed by presenters at the event held at Sydney Hordern Pavilion in October last year.

Not considered to be one of the favourites, Bellamy was at odds of 7/1 to win the award with some bookmakers, before the influx of bets saw him become the $1.80 favourite.