More than two dozen student-athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are under investigation for suspected online sports betting, potentially violating NCAA regulations. According to NCAA rules, athletes, coaches, and staff are prohibited from betting on sports. In addition to the athletes, one employee from Iowa’s athletic department is also being probed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This inquiry follows Alabama’s recent scandal involving baseball coach Brad Bohannon, but Iowa officials stress that the cases are unrelated.
No Evidence of Game Fixing, Investigation Expands
Iowa gaming officials have confirmed that there is no evidence of game-fixing within this investigation, and none of the wagers involved Iowa teams. Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019, with online betting gaining rapid popularity, especially after the in-person registration requirement for accounts was lifted in 2021. Despite this rise, NCAA’s regulations remain strict, and the state’s Board of Regents is working with universities to ensure full cooperation during the investigation.
Currently, 26 student-athletes from Iowa and Iowa State across several sports, including baseball, track, football, basketball, and wrestling, are under scrutiny. Eleven of these athletes are from the University of Iowa, while 15 from Iowa State face similar allegations. On May 5, Iowa announced that athletes currently in season would be sidelined from competitions.
At Iowa State, 15 student-athletes from sports like football, wrestling, and track are also implicated. The university has notified the NCAA, vowing to take appropriate actions to resolve the violations. However, no official names of the suspected athletes have been released.
Impact on Competitions and Alleged Violations
Following the announcement, several key athletes were notably absent from competitions. Keaton Anthony, one of Iowa’s top baseball players, was among those missing from the team’s weekend series, though no official reasons have been provided.
The situation at Iowa mirrors the recent scandal at Alabama, where coach Brad Bohannon was fired after a bettor placed suspicious wagers on an Alabama-LSU game. Bohannon was allegedly in communication with the bettor during the event. However, unlike Alabama, there is no ban on betting on Iowa teams, and authorities maintain that this situation is more a breach of betting regulations than game-fixing.
As the investigation continues, Iowa officials are committed to resolving the matter while ensuring compliance with NCAA standards. With over two dozen athletes and one staff member implicated, the outcome of this probe could have significant implications for sports programs at both universities.
Source : https://www.playia.com/iowa-university-iowa-state-athletes-sports-betting-investigation/