• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More

Iowa, Iowa State Betting Allegations Did Not Include Match Fixing

  • On Monday, Iowa and Iowa State announced that the state’s gambling commission had launched an investigation into sports betting activity.
  • But no games related to the two teams have been flagged as potentially “compromised,” according to sources.
The Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team is being investigated by the state's gambling authority.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen

On Monday, the University of Iowa and Iowa State announced that the state’s gambling commission had launched an investigation into at least 41 current athletes and one University of Iowa athletics employee for “potential criminal conduct related to sports wagering” and potential NCAA violations.

But the allegations do not appear to have been related to point-shaving, match-fixing, or other game outcome-related activities, sources have confirmed to Front Office Sports. The nature of the wagering scandal was first reported by The Action Network.

“What’s happening in Iowa is totally different than what went down in Alabama,” one source said. Last week, Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after evidence surfaced he had placed two bets on the Crimson Tide — and multiple states had shut down betting on the team as a result.

FOS could not confirm the exact nature of the Iowa and Iowa State allegations, but there could be a few possible scenarios.

For example, it would be against Iowa state law for an athlete under the age of 21 to participate in sports betting, regardless of who they’re betting on or what type of information they may possess.

Like the more than 30 that offer some form of legalized sports betting, the sportsbook that operates in Iowa must verify an account to ensure the bettor is at least 21 and, using geolocation, that each bet is placed within the state. 

Where the bets were placed is part of the investigation, one source said. GPS location was thought to be a factor in the six-game suspensions of Detroit Lions receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams that were announced last month. (NFL players can place bets on non-NFL games as long as those bets aren’t placed while at an NFL or team facility.)

The NCAA has much stricter rules than the NFL, however. NCAA rules prohibit athletes or athletic department staff from gambling on any sport that the NCAA sponsors at any level. That includes something as innocuous as entering a March Madness bracket pool.

“Legalization is way ahead of education,” Matthew Holt, president, and CEO of U.S. Integrity, told FOS. “In North America where everything just moves so fast. Which league or conference or school actually knows the rules in 36 states and 40 tribal jurisdictions when they’re all different? So I think there’s a pretty strong understanding that there needs to be more education and awareness.”

Two sources from within the sports betting industry told FOS how these investigations typically arise:

  • A sports gambling operator sees a name of an athlete who placed a bet, and alerts the conference, league, integrity operators or other authorities.
  • The state agency charged with policing gambling get a tip about athletes placing bets, which leads to a targeted probe of a team.
  • Somebody with intimate knowledge of an athlete’s betting activity contacts regulators.

The University of Iowa said in a statement that it was notified of the investigation on May 2, and received a list of those “alleged to have participated in sports wagering.” One university employee and 26 current athletes were named. Iowa State said that on its side, 15 current athletes were named. Both were across multiple men’s sports.

The Iowa scandals are much less severe than that involving the Alabama baseball team because the Alabama games’ integrity could have been compromised.

Last week, the Ohio gambling commission shut down all wagering on Alabama baseball games after two suspicious bets were placed at a BetMGM on an Alabama-LSU matchup. Multiple states followed.

The team then fired coach Brad Bohannon, who was found to have been communicating with a person placing bets at the time. There were reportedly no athletes involved in Alabama’s scandal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Caitlin Clark Show Is Hitting the LPGA Tour in a Big..

The WNBA star is playing in an LPGA pro-am this week.
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7.

Vandy QB Pavia Sues NCAA for 2 More Years of Eligibility

Diego Pavia beat Alabama. Can he beat the NCAA’s eligibility rules?
DraftKings

DraftKings Lowers Full-Year Guidance After Brutal NFL Outcomes

DraftKings cited a tough start to the fourth quarter in lowering its 2024 guidance.
Surrounded by family members and supporters, Donald Trump makes his acceptance speech at his Election Night Watch Party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center after being elected the 47th President of the United States November 5, 2024.

Republicans Won Big in the 2024 Election. So Did the NCAA

“It’s a bad day to be a college athlete,” one staffer says.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Is Jerry Jones Holding the Cowboys Back?

0:00

Featured Today

Former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he exits the putting green with his aide Walt Nauta, left, during the final round of the LIV Golf Bedminster golf tournament at Trump National Bedminster on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
opinion

Trump Win Puts Sports Back in the White House

With Trump back in the White House, sports get more political again.
Members of the NY Giants run onto the field to start the game between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
November 8, 2024

The NFL Is Becoming the League With No Borders

Where will the NFL go next? International expansion will only get bigger.
November 5, 2024

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.

Louisiana Gov. Calls Critics of Tiger Stunt ‘Woke’ After LSU Blowout Loss

He called the live cat the “only tiger who showed up Saturday.”
November 11, 2024

SMU’s Nine-Figure ACC Move Is Paying Off in Year 1

SMU paid its way into the ACC and is seeing immediate benefits.
November 11, 2024

How Schools Are Raising Money to Prep for House v. NCAA Settlement

Schools are hunting for money they may be sharing with athletes soon.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly as the LSU Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
November 8, 2024

Source of LSU’s New Tiger Has History of Animal Abuse Allegations

LSU isn’t using the tiger that lives on campus for Saturday’s game.
November 8, 2024

NCAA Lifts Long-Standing Ban on Canadian Hockey League Players

A $600 monthly living stipend had kept players out of NCAA hockey.
Florida football coach Billy Napier
November 7, 2024

Florida Gives Billy Napier Vote of Confidence With Huge Buyout Looming

Napier’s $26 million buyout would be second largest in college football history.
November 6, 2024

CFP’s 12-Team Debut: How NIL, Realignment Shape the Bracket

Miami is ranked No. 4 as aggressive NIL spending has no doubt helped the Hurricanes to their 9–0 start.