Bets on hold over cocaine scandal

Some bookmakers have suspended betting on the NRL round-one clash between Brisbane and South Sydney as speculation grows that the Broncos will be drawn into the cocaine scandal that has engulfed south-east Queensland sporting circles.

There have been strong rumours the Broncos could be the next club in the firing line after crime authorities charged five Gold Coast Titans players in the past week.

Former Bronco and Gold Coast Suns AFL player Karmichael Hunt has also been stood down by the Queensland Reds Super Rugby team after he was arrested and charged last Friday.

A Broncos spokesperson said the club had "no concerns" about the speculation.

The Broncos play premiers Souths at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday with a crowd of up to 45,000 expected.

TAB Sportsbet's Matt Jenkins said it would be irresponsible to punters to allow bets to be placed on the game until more information is known.

"As this story develops we have decided to suspend betting until more news happens," Jenkins said.

"We don't know how big this is going to be, so it's protecting the punters more than anything."

Gerard Daffy, of TattsBet, said they were not closing their market on the game.

He said there was a lot of rumour and speculation but they had heard nothing concrete.

"So many codes and teams have been mentioned ... if we closed a market every time there was a rumour we wouldn't haven't anything to bet on," he said.

AAP