Ben Barba has been deregistered by the NRL after the league's integrity unit viewed CCTV footage of an alleged case of domestic violence.

The 29-year-old was sacked by North Queensland Cowboys on Friday without having played a game for the club after what they described as a "significant breach" of his contract following the reported incident at a Townsville Casino.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the integrity unit's investigation into Barba, who has not been charged by police, found "there was a physical altercation between the player and his partner".

"His registration with the game is no longer and I can't see a time, at any time in the future, that he'll be welcomed back," Greenberg told reporters in a video posted on the NRL's official website.

"This is an enormous outcome because this is a guy that now loses his livelihood and career in the game.

"It's a very clear message for a lot of players in our sport that it is a great privilege to play rugby league, to put a jersey on, to earn a significant income which they deserve as footballers.

"But it comes with real responsibility. And if you start to step outside the crease, you're going to put your livelihood at risk. This is a prime example."

Greenberg added that he would not call for a worldwide ban on Barba, who was named Man of Steel during his one season with St Helens, although the Rugby Football League (RFL) previously indicated any NRL ban would be upheld in Super League as well.

"What I am going to say is that in the jurisdiction that I uphold, there's no place for him. It's probably time for Ben to find a new vocation," Greenberg said.