• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

Criminal Probes For Player Gambling Put Pressure On NFL, NCAA Policies

  • Series of charges show rising criminal prosecution around what had been internal issue
  • Leagues of all types continue to grapple with updating player policies
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

A fast-rising issue in many leagues including the NFL, player gambling will carry ramifications no longer confined to internal enforcement structures, but rising to the level of criminal prosecution.

This week, Iowa authorities charged four current and former Iowa State Cyclones athletes, including starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers and current Denver Broncos lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, with allegations including records tampering and placing dozens of bets on Iowa State sporting events.

The Iowa probe also resulted in charges for three other college athletes, including Iowa kicker Aaron Blom, who has been accused of placing 170 bets prior to turning 21.

That developing situation parallels a separate one in Colorado in which Uwazurike also faces a criminal investigation by that state’s attorney general into bets made in violation of state law, which prohibits players from betting on sports in which they are a participant.

Ten NFL players have been suspended for gambling violations this year, including Uwazurike.

Changing Times

Since the landmark 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing states to establish their own sports betting laws, the industry has grown dramatically, and each major sports league expanded its own internal rules for players and coaches. Those rules have primarily focused on tight restrictions on betting on their own sports and banning wagering at team facilities. Many governing bodies, including the NCAA, have since toughened those internal policies.

Dekkers’ attorney Mark Weinhardt argues the issue should stay an internal one.

“This prosecution interferes with and politicizes what is the business of Iowa State University and the NCAA,” he said. “The investigation at the Iowa universities is the tip of an iceberg. Thousands and thousands of college students place bets — usually very small ones — with shared accounts. That is for the schools and the NCAA to police.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Mar 27, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general overall view of the Crypto.com Arena with the March Madness Elite 8 and Sweet 16 logo at center court.

Media Exec on March Madness Expansion Potential: ‘Chump Change’

CBS and TNT pay about $1 billion a year for the media rights.

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
United States District Court, District of New Jersey. Federal Courthouse in Newark. on Thursday Feb. 11, 2021. Newark Federal Courthouse
April 29, 2025

Kalshi Gains More Legal Momentum With Early New Jersey Win

Kalshi has begun racking up early legal victories as it defends its sports event contracts.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
May 9, 2025

DraftKings, FanDuel Interested in Sports Prediction Markets

Sports betting giants are eyeing sports “prediction” markets.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) during the third quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
April 23, 2025

Kalshi’s Offensive Blitz Continues With Suit Against Maryland

Kalshi previously sued regulators in Nevada and New Jersey.
The sun rises behind the New York skyline seen from the Jersey City waterfront on Thursday morning Dec. 10, 2020.
April 22, 2025

N.Y. Sports Betting Faces Major Limits Under New Proposal

Newly proposed legislation would impose daily betting caps and limit advertising.
April 16, 2025

Sports Prediction Markets Still Face Legal Roadblocks

The Wire Act and tribal sovereignty could be the next legal battlegrounds.
April 14, 2025

Bank Says Sports Betting Could Weather Tariff Storm

Lower tax revenues could encourage more states to legalize sports betting.