Ryan Atkins suspended for betting offence

Ryan Atkins has been suspended from all rugby league activity for three months, after admitting to betting on a one-off game involving his former club Wakefield Trinity.

The bet was made on the outcome of Trinity’s Super League game against Wigan in September and although Atkins was not registered with any professional club at the time, he was still in breach of the RFL’s ‘Betting and Related Activity Code of Conduct’, having been registered with Wakefield during the previous 12 months.

The RFL made the decision to ban Atkins for three months in light that it was a single bet and that no ‘inside’ information was used, while the player cooperated fully with the investigation, having promptly admitted the charge.

In a statement, Atkins said: “I regret placing the bet, and if I could wind back the clock, I would not have done so.

“I’d like to thank the RFL for the fair decision and York City Knights for their support and standing by me during this difficult time.

I look forward to meeting up with the squad early February and paying back that support.”

The RFL added that “the sanction imposed reflects these and other mitigating factors, but acknowledges that betting on Rugby League matches by any individual bound by the RFL’s Operational Rules is a strict liability offence.

“Professional players are offered education and support around gambling.”