AFL interchange stewards Wayne Siekman and John Wise have also been stood down for the rest of the 2010 season, while AFL timekeeper Matthew Hollington has been given a five-week penalty and Western Bulldogs director Geoff Walsh has been fined $7500.
Primus placed a $20 wager on a NAB Cup semi-final between Geelong and Carlton as part of a multi-bet also involved two English Premier League matches.
Appleton placed four bets totalling $60 on the 2009 grand final, a match in which he did not officiate.
Siekeman placed 13 bets during the 2009 season, Wise placed four bets and Hollington placed one.
Walsh placed five bets totalling $50 between December 2009 and February 2010.
AFL general manager football operations Adrian Anderson said Appleton, Siekman, Wise and Hollington were valued officials and would be welcomed back following their suspensions.
"We do not believe any of them deliberately set out to break the rules," he said.
"If we did, termination of their employment would result.
"However, all of them accept that they have made a grave mistake, as AFL officials must be held to a very high standard in this area."
Anderson said the AFL entered into information sharing agreements more than 12 months ago with all major bookmakers in Australia.
"All AFL players, coaches, umpires and officials should be in no doubt that betting on the AFL is prohibited," he said.
"As I first stated in March 2007, all players, coaches, umpires and officials are on notice that suspensions are applicable for a breach of the AFL gambling regulations."
As a result, several matters had come to light after an examination of betting records, which were then subject to detailed investigation by AFL integrity manager Brett Clothier.
One other matter was brought to the AFL's attention by a club.
In a statement on Wednesday, Port Adelaide said it had proposed fining Primus, but would not proceed with the sanction after the AFL's announcement.
