Former rugby league player John Elias has been found not guilty by an Australian court of charges laid over an NRL betting scandal.
Elias was charged with trying to obtain financial advantage by deception over a game in Townsville in 2010 between the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys.
The ABC reports that it was alleged the 48-year-old put bets on a penalty goal as the first points to be scored in the match, knowing that then Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy planned to deliberately concede a penalty.
A rush of bets were made on the novelty betting option before the game, but they did not pay out after the Cowboys opted not to kick and instead scored a try.
Elias was accused of making the bet after being told of the plan by Tandy's manager Sam Ayoub.
Sydney magistrate Peter Miszalski dismissed the case after a four-day hearing and noted his wagers had involved multi-bets, involving four other legs as well as the Townsville game.
Elias made no comment as he left the court.
