NRL: Betting-scandal case police issue photo of woman

Sydney detectives want to talk to this woman about a bet placed at a TAB on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / NZPA

Australian police investigating the NRL gambling scandal are searching for a pram-pushing woman who tried to place an unusual bet in an Auckland TAB.

Strike Force Suburb detectives released CCTV images of the woman who may be able to assist the inquiry into illegal betting surrounding the NRL match between the Bulldogs and the Cowboys last year.

Described as being in her 20s, slim and with shoulder-length hair, the woman is seen inside a TAB on the North Shore between 4.50pm and 5.15pm on August 20 before returning at 5.35pm the following day.

She wore blue jeans and a dark-coloured zippered hooded jacket and carried a large red handbag as she pushed an infant boy in the pram.

The Herald first revealed the New Zealand link to the NRL investigation in February and the CCTV images were released this week.

Flags went up at the TAB when the woman tried to place a bet in the "thousands" on North Queensland to open the scoring with a penalty during the National Rugby League match against the Bulldogs, senior bookmaker Mark Stafford said in February.

He said bets on the first scoring play in league were normally for a try and were seldom for more than $100.

"Anything over that you think, 'That's a bit weird'," Mr Stafford said.

He said the bet would have cost the TAB tens of thousands if the punter had been paid out.

The attempted bet came up as an "alarm" at head office as part of the agency's intercept system, which can be triggered by bets as small as $100.

"We get heaps of intercepts every day that amount to nothing, but this particular one, because it was such a weird option that we hold very little money on, stood out," Mr Stafford said.

The TAB restricted the woman's bet to about $50, then immediately suspended the first-scoring option on that match. Staff made urgent calls to betting agencies in Australia and, on learning they had been hit with similar bets, cancelled the option.

Several league figures are under investigation for the alleged sting, including Bulldogs prop Ryan Tandy, who was penalised for holding down a player under his posts. North Queensland opted not to kick for goal, foiling the alleged fix.

Tandy has been charged with giving false evidence to a NSW Crime Commission hearing and faces jail and a life ban from league if found guilty.

Charges have also been laid against player-agent Sam Ayoub and John Elias.

* Call Australian Crime Stoppers on +61-2-4352-0096 or visit nsw.crime stoppers.com.au.