Hunter Dekkers, the first-string quarterback from last year’s 12-game season at Iowa State, is among a group of athletes indicted in the Story County, Iowa, district court. The charges arise from an investigation into alleged gambling activities involving student-athletes at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.
Accused of tampering with records, the state alleges Dekkers masked his identity while placing sports bets. The legal complaint asserts that Dekkers used a DraftKings account linked to a relative’s name, making bets from his mobile phone. However, Dekkers has refuted these allegations.
Other individuals facing charges include a current Cyclones player, a wrestler, and an NFL-suspended former Iowa State football player.
Dekkers allegedly made around 366 bets, amounting to over $2,799. As per the complaint, twenty-six of these bets involved Iowa State events, including a 2021 football game that Dekkers did not participate in. The legal document suggests that Dekkers, a redshirt junior below Iowa’s legal betting age of 21, used DraftKings.
The existing guidelines from the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) stipulate that athletes involved in influencing the outcome of their games or providing information to people engaged in sports betting may face the permanent loss of eligibility for all sports. This rule applies to student-athletes betting on their games or any sports within their schools.
In a statement, Dekkers’ attorney, Mark Weinhardt, said that his client denies the charge, arguing it is inappropriate for the situation, even if the allegations were accurate. He added, “This charge attempts to criminalize a daily fact of American life. Millions of people share online accounts of all kinds every day.” Dekkers will temporarily leave the team to concentrate on his defence, Weinhardt said.
Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, charged with tampering with records, allegedly used another person’s name to make roughly 800 sports bets on FanDuel totalling over $21,000, some of which were on 2021 Iowa State football games in which Uwazurike played. Recently, Uwazurike was indefinitely suspended by the NFL for betting on 2022 league games and can request reinstatement after a year.
As per the criminal complaint, Uwazurike is alleged to have placed 32 bets on Broncos games after being drafted by the team. It also alleges Uwazurike wagered on five specific games in which he played. Uwazurike’s representatives have yet to respond to CNN’s comment request.
Paniro Johnson, an Iowa State sophomore wrestler who won a Big 12 Conference wrestling title last season, is alleged to have placed around 1,283 sports bets totalling over $45,000, including 25 bets on Iowa State University sports events.
Cyclones redshirt sophomore football player Dodge Sauser is accused of making about 113 sports bets amounting to over $3,000. The legal complaint suggests Sauser placed 12 wagers on Iowa State football games, including bets on four games last season.
According to Jamie Pollard, the athletics director of Iowa State, the university has been assisting the “involved student-athletes” in an ongoing process. Pollard stated that they cannot comment on the situation or eligibility status of student-athletes but will continue supporting them while working with the NCAA to determine their future eligibility for intercollegiate sports competitions. Pollard added that athletes, coaches, and staff receive education on state gambling laws and NCAA policies.
The Iowa Board of Regents closely monitors the situation, stating it will fully cooperate with all investigations and expressing complete confidence in campus administrators, ensuring ongoing compliance.
This follows an announcement by Iowa’s university system in May, stating that they were investigating 26 current student-athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University for alleged NCAA rules violations involving gambling on sports events.
This recent gambling scandal among student-athletes is causing a stir in collegiate and professional sports. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University, the NFL, and the NCAA are all facing significant challenges as they manage the impact of these allegations and work to uphold the integrity of their sports. The accusations underline the importance of clear guidelines and education about sports betting for current and future athletes. As the legal proceedings continue, the future eligibility of these athletes remains uncertain. Still, the universities, the NCAA, and the NFL have expressed their commitment to ensuring fair play and compliance.
