AP/Hunter
05/09/23
Multiple investigations are underway regarding active student-athletes in the state.
According to ABC News, The Iowa Gaming Commission confirmed that it is investigating University of Iowa athletics just days after the university stated Friday that it withheld athletes from competition due to a potential NCAA violation.
The Gaming Commission statement says, “There is an ongoing investigation into these matters and we are unable to comment further at this time. The Commission takes the integrity of gaming in the state seriously and is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide any additional information when able.” Brian Ohorilko, the director of gaming for the commission, confirmed that there is no evidence of match fixing or suspicious wagering activity.
The University of Iowa said in a Monday-afternoon statement that 111 individuals had been flagged in the investigation, including 26 student-athletes in baseball, football, men’s basketball, men’s track and field and wrestling, plus one full-time employee in the UI athletics department. The statement added that the vast majority of the individuals are student-staff, former student-athletes or those with no connection to UI athletics. They emphasized that no coaches or former coaches were involved.
The University has hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process.
Iowa State Athletics also released a statement, acknowledging allegations of sports wagering, involving approximately 15 active student-athletes from the sports of football, wrestling, and track & field in violation of NCAA rules.
In their statement, the Iowa Board of Regents said they’re aware of the concerns and will fully cooperate with any investigations related to these concerns. The statement added that the Regents have confidence that university administrators at each institution will take all necessary steps to ensure ongoing compliance. The statement also indicates the incidents involve wagering conducted online at Iowa and Iowa State.
NCAA rules prohibit athletes, coaches and staff from betting on amateur, collegiate and professional sports in which the NCAA conducts a championship. For example, athletes cannot bet on NFL games even if state laws would legally allow them to do so if they weren’t competing under NCAA rules. It is illegal in Iowa for a person under 21 to wager on sports. Athletes caught gambling are subject to losing eligibility.
Five years ago, the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize betting on sports. Sports betting is currently legal in 33 states.