Real estate giant McGrath has gone into a trading halt.

The agency has posted a half year loss of $25.5 million, with revenue falling 23 per cent to $51.6 million for the half year to December.

The company went into a halt after announcing it would soon release a statement relating to media reports about its founder, real estate salesman John McGrath.

Mr McGrath's personal finances have been the subject of several recent media reports.

The Sydney Morning Herald has alleged he has a $16.2 million gambling debt with betting company William Hill Australia run by Tom Waterhouse.

Mr McGrath has reportedly described the story as “rubbish” and “ridiculous”.

The Australian reported on a margin lending facility via a private company the allegedly controls part of Mr McGrath's 26 per cent stake in the real estate agency.

The company is about to experience a ‘boardroom exodus’, new reports say.