Rugby League: All bets on NRL off, for time being

The TAB has stopped taking bets on who will win the NRL premiership and the Canterbury Bulldogs' next game.

Betting has not resumed since Friday and will be suspended until the NRL decides the fate of the Bulldogs, who have admitted exceeding the competition salary cap by more than A$1 million ($1.17 million) over the past two seasons.

One New Zealand punter stands to lose $27,000 if the Bulldogs are eliminated. The Bulldogs are the TAB's most heavily backed side, with $38,000 in total bets.

The TAB will not refund bets on the Bulldogs if NRL sanctions knock them out of the premiership.

Australia's biggest sports betting bookmakers, CentreBet, has also suspended all betting on the NRL. Manager Gerard Daffy said professional punters were considering legal action to recoup "lost earnings."

TAB league spokesman Kevin Gutschlag said the New Zealand Warriors would be well placed if the Bulldogs were eliminated. The Warriors probably would shorten to $3 while the Brisbane Broncos would become favourites at $2.50.

- NZPA