Brandon Smith Insider-Betting Charge Withdrawn, Rabbitohs Confirm

^{The South Sydney Rabbitohs confirmed the outcome of the court proceedings involving Brandon Smith. (Photo: Jason L / Wikimedia Commons)}

A police charge accusing South Sydney Rabbitohs and New Zealand international Brandon Smith of disclosing inside knowledge so another person could place a bet has been withdrawn, the National Rugby League club confirmed on Thursday.

Smith, a hooker for the Sydney-based club, is a regular in the New Zealand national side. The case had drawn attention on both sides of the Tasman, and regulators in New Zealand are preparing to license online casinos for the first time.

Rabbitohs Confirm Charge Withdrawn

In a statement published on its website, South Sydney said they acknowledged the outcome of the court proceedings, which resulted in the charge against Smith being dropped. The club did not detail the allegations and made no comment on the reasons behind the decision.

The wording released by the club described the charge as one of disclosing inside knowledge for the purpose of another person making a relevant bet. South Sydney said the matter had now concluded and indicated it would add nothing further.

Club Notifies NRL Integrity Unit

The Rabbitohs said they had passed the outcome to the sport's integrity officials, who oversee betting-related conduct across the competition. The club framed the update briefly and did not comment on Smith's playing availability.

The Rabbitohs have informed the NRL Integrity Unit of the outcome of these proceedings. The Rabbitohs have no further comment to make on this matter.

The NRL Integrity Unit monitors betting activity on the game, works with licensed wagering operators and regulators to flag unusual markets, and investigates suspected breaches of the sport's rules. Such referrals can run alongside any separate action taken by police or the courts.

Australian professional sport enforces strict integrity codes that bar players, coaches and staff from betting on their own competitions or passing on confidential team information for wagering. Breaches are handled by both sporting bodies and, in some cases, state authorities.

Betting Integrity in Focus Across the Tasman

The case surfaced as gambling oversight tightens in the region. In New Zealand, the government is licensing and regulating online casinos for the first time, part of a broader push to tighten its online gambling rules and channel players toward approved operators.

New Zealand has historically prohibited most online casino gambling offered from within the country, and the incoming licensing regime is designed to bring offshore operators under local supervision. The licensing process is expected to get under way during 2026, with a limited number of approved operators permitted to advertise and take bets from New Zealand residents. The reforms are aimed at consumer protection and integrity rather than at professional athletes.

Betting-integrity cases involving players remain rare, and most are resolved without a finding against the individual. South Sydney's statement closed the matter from the club's side, and with the charge withdrawn and the integrity unit informed, attention returns to the field for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.