NRL’s Top Referee Ashley Klein Spotted at Racecourse After $400k Gambling Losses Revealed

NRL referee Ashley Klein appeared at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, just weeks after his $400,000 gambling losses on horse and greyhound racing were publicly revealed. Klein lost the money to corporate bookmakers between 2019 and 2023, when he placed himself on the national self-exclusion register BetStop. The NRL investigated his gambling in 2019 and cleared him to continue refereeing after confirming he had not bet on rugby league. There is no suggestion Klein has acted inappropriately on field.

How much did Klein lose and when

Ashley Klein lost more than $400,000 betting on horse racing and greyhound racing with corporate bookmakers, according to reports published in June 2026. He closed his betting accounts and registered himself on BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, in 2023. Klein had continued to accumulate gambling losses for four years after the NRL investigated him in 2019.

Why Klein’s racecourse appearance drew backlash

Klein attended Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday for the Australian Turf Club’s “Missile Stakes Day”, the first day of the NSW racing calendar. He was accompanied by his partner Elly Howse, who recently left her role as policy director for NSW Racing Minister David Harris and now works for NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Klein was not seen placing any bets, but the appearance was widely seen as demonstrating poor judgment given the recent public scrutiny.

NRL’s 2019 investigation and ongoing role

The NRL investigated Klein’s gambling in 2019 and cleared him to continue refereeing at the top level after establishing he had not wagered on rugby league matches. There is no suggestion that Klein has ever acted inappropriately in his on-field capacity or that his gambling has influenced his refereeing decisions. Klein remains the NRL’s top referee and has continued to officiate the code’s biggest games despite the gambling revelations.

What happens next

Klein declined to comment when contacted by media on Monday. Elly Howse also declined to comment. The NRL has not announced any further action regarding Klein’s appearance at the racecourse or his ongoing role as the competition’s leading referee.

Final Thoughts

Klein’s racecourse appearance underscores the tension between his NRL clearance and public perception. While the 2019 investigation found no rugby league betting, the $400,000 in losses and his continued presence at gambling venues raises questions about whether current oversight is sufficient.

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