Rob Howley will be free to return to rugby next summer after “powerful” letters of support were written by legends of the sport.
The former Wales and Lions coach was banned for 18 months on Monday, with nine suspended, for betting on matches, including Wales games.
Howley, who was sent home from the World Cup in Japan when it emerged he had breached betting rules, faced a maximum ban of five years.
But testimonies written by past and present Lions head coaches Sir Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland, as well as by current Wales star Jon Davies, helped limit the length of the punishment.
“We have taken full account of the views expressed by a range of character witnesses who have known Mr Howley at various stages of his life,” stated disciplinary chiefs.
“They are on any view impressive testimonials and they demonstrate unequivocally that Mr Howley has conducted himself both as a renowned international rugby player and as an equally renowned international coach with the utmost professionalism and dedication."
A three-strong panel heard that Howley, 49, held accounts with three bookmakers and used his Welsh Rugby Union mobile phone and email address to place 363 bets over a four-year period.
Some of those wagers were on his own Wales team, including two ‘first try scorer’ punts on Welsh players, one in last season’s Grand Slam match against Ireland.
Both players were interviewed and denied any knowledge of the bets.
The investigation found “a trigger for Mr Howley’s betting was a family tragedy involving the death of his sister”.
Whilst admitting he knew he was in breach of the regs, the panel felt the punishment handed out was sufficient given the “very significant strain” his public ordeal had had on his health.
“We are also satisfied that Mr Howley made no gains, overall, from these bets,” said the disciplinary report. “In fact, the WRU assess that overall Mr Howley made losses of approximately £4,000.”
Howley, whose suspension is backdated to his withdrawal from Wales' World Cup campaign, will be able to resume his career on June 16.
“He confirmed to us that he had not bet at all since his suspension on 16 September,” continued the report.
“And that with the help of a consultant psychologist he was confident that he would desist from betting in the future.”
Howley added in a statement: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those close to me and everyone this has affected, especially the rugby community, close colleagues and above all my family.
"I am an extremely private man, and unfortunately it was this that kept me silent as I battled my demons following my sister’s tragic death."
He continued: "The last few months have been immensely tough, and continued help will allow me to find the right path back to Rugby which has always been my true passion.
"I am immensely grateful for the faith and support I’ve received from everybody close to me."
In Howley’s absence Wales finished fourth at the World Cup, after which the management team in which he had worked stepped down.
Wayne Pivac has since succeeded Gatland as team boss with Stephen Jones taking the full-time role of attack coach previously held by Howley.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the former scrum-half, who had been in the running to become Italy head coach. The post has yet to be filled.
