Controversial former NRL player Ryan Tandy has been found dead.

Reports suggest 32-year-old Tandy died from a drug overdose at his parents' home on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Tandy was banned for life from the NRL after being found guilty of match fixing a game involving his team Canterbury and North Queensland in August 2010.

Police were called to the home about 2:00pm on Monday, following reports a man had died.

They say the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Tandy faced charges in connection with illegal gambling activity surrounding a suspicious penalty given away in the Bulldogs-Cowboys clash, a betting scandal which rocked the game.

A New South Wales local court found Tandy had tried to manipulate the first points scored in the game.

The kick for goal option, as first points in the game, had been heavily backed with bookmakers.

Tandy also faced questioning as part of a New South Wales Crime Commission investigation into the scandal and was accused of giving false evidence about placing bets.

He faced two years behind bars, but was given a six-month intensive correction order, which included community service, strict supervision and curfews.

Tandy, who played 36 NRL games for five different clubs, was arrested in January for an alleged kidnapping offence linked to criminal bikie organisations.

News of his death shocked former team-mates and opponents with tributes posted on social media for the NRL journeyman

Loading

Loading

Loading

"I am just numb. Just numb," former Storm and Bulldogs team-mate Steve Turner said.

"He was just such a likeable character, the life of the party. A bit of a joker and just someone we all liked to have around.

"We played in the 2009 premiership team and then when they asked about him coming up to the 'Dogs, I was all for it.

"It is just sad that he might be remembered for all the wrong reasons."

ABC/AAP