Police raid Sydney properties over NRL betting scandal

Authorities have stepped up their investigation into a 2019 Dally M Medal betting scandal with a series of raids on Wednesday.

NSW Police raided a number of properties in Sydney, seizing electronic devices and documents as part of their investigation.

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The operation relates to suspected illegal betting activity around the end-of-season rugby league awards in 2019.

Bookmakers alerted police to suspicious betting activity surrounding Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy's Dally M Coach of the Year award.

Reports in March revealed that one punter won around $20,000 from several corporate bookmakers after betting on Bellamy to win the award.

There is no suggestion the Storm coach is in any way involved.

It's understood police are looking for a number of people of interest to the case.

“Today, officers attached to the Organised Crime Squad’s Casino and Racing Investigation Unit, executed search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into reported betting activity surrounding an award for the NRL competition,” a NSW Police statement read.

“Investigators seized documents, electronic devices and computers.”

Bellamy was at odds of 7/1 to win the coaching award with some bookmakers before a late surge of betting activity saw him reduced to a $1.80 favourite.

The veteran coach led Melbourne to the 2019 minor premiership but saw his side eliminated from the finals from eventual runners-up Canberra.

That grand final charge had many experts tipping Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to win Coach of the Year honours, with Manly's Des Hasler another strong candidate.

Cody Walker saga takes dramatic twist

Meantime, South Sydney star Cody Walker’s blackmail saga has taken a surprising turn, with the phone number used to issue the threat reportedly traced back to another NRL player manager.

The Daily Telegraph has reported detectives working on the case traced the number used in the call to Walker back to another agent, who is now under investigation.

Walker went to police and the NRL integrity unity after receiving a call threatening to release footage of him assaulting a man, unless a payment of $20,000 was provided.

The footage was leaked on Monday, and showed a shirtless Walker running up and kicking a man in the chest during an apparent dispute.

Walker, who was himself investigated by police over the altercation, says he will accept whatever punishment is handed down to him for his part in the controversy.

The Rabbitohs star explained that he was drinking and grieving the death of a family member before the fight broke out.