As the NRL closes in on what it hopes will be a $4 billion broadcast rights deal, it is now dealing with unwanted attention.

The NRL’s top referee Ashley Klein lost hundreds of thousands of dollars betting on horse racing but was allowed to keep officiating in the sport’s biggest games.

Ashley Klein’s gambling losses of more than $400,000 were revealed last week. He’s due to referee the second State of Origin on Wednesday.

As the NRL closes in on what it hopes will be a $4 billion broadcast rights deal, it is now dealing with unwanted attention.

Ashley Klein, the State of Origin referee who had a $400,000 gambling problem known to the NRL, has been undertaking professional development at Racing NSW.

Billy Slater and Laurie Daley squash concerns over referee Ashley Klein after revelations of his past gambling issues.