‘I lost count of how much I gambled away’

The NRL has been called to investigate an alleged homophobic comment made during last night's under-20's Origin showdown at Sportingbet Stadium, directed at Queensland lock Luke Bateman by an unknown NSW player.

Chris Sandow has opened up about his gambling. Source: Getty Images

CHRIS Sandow has staged one of the season's most inspiring fightbacks - and on Sunday the Parramatta halfback bravely opened up for the first time about his gambling addiction.

Admitting gambling was "a big part of NRL culture", the 25-year-old spoke to Fox Sports' Matty Johns on Triple M about his problems and how the unwavering support of his mother Rhonda gave him the strength to not quit the game.

Chris Sandow doesn't know how much he gambled away. Source: Getty Images

After rising to stardom at South Sydney, the former NRL rookie of the year went to Parramatta on a reported $550,000 a season.

But he admitted he struggled to adjust to NRL life after growing up in the tiny Queensland town of Cherbourg.

Sandow said he wasn't even sure how much money he has wasted.

Asked what type of gambling he was hooked on, Sandow said: "Everything, mate. I just pretty much lost myself.

Chris Sandow for the Eels. Source: Getty Images

"I did grow up in a small community and I did grow up with nothing. I took (the money) for granted.

"It's a big part of NRL culture, gambling.

"I got bogged down in that and I couldn't get myself out of that situation I was in.

"But fortunately I had pretty good people around me like my mother and my family and I'm lucky in that sense. I have probably got the best mum in the world, I wouldn't change her for anything."

Chris Sandow on the attack. Source: Getty Images

Asked how bad his problems got, Sandow told Triple M: "Pretty bad. I was going to training thinking about gambling. That is when I thought I did have a problem.

"That is why I had to talk to someone about it and that is when I went to rehab (last year). It was really good going there, it opened my eyes."

Sandow said new coach Brad Arthur's decision to start him in NSW Cup this year made him realise the opportunity he was wasting.

But Sandow refused to pin any blame for his past problems on former Parramatta coaches Steve Kearney and Ricky Stuart.

Chris Sandow of the Eels. Source: Getty Images

"They are great coaches," he said.

"I just had a few issues off the field that stopped me from doing what I really could do in the NRL.

"I have got a second chance now with (Brad Arthur) and hopefully I don't stuff that up."

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