Tuesday October 3, 2023

Iowa State’s Hunter Dekkers Charged in Gambling Investigation

  • Former Cyclone, suspended Broncos player Enyi Uwazurike among others charged with tampering.
  • Iowa State and Iowa were notified of the probe involving several athletes at the schools in May.
Bryon Houlgrave/USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

NBC is exploring broadcasting a slice of the expanded CFP in 2026.
Listen Now
October 3, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Iowa State starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers was among those charged with tampering on Tuesday as part of a sports betting probe. 

Dekkers, a redshirt junior who started all 12 games for the Cyclones last season, was accused of placing 26 bets involving Iowa State athletics, according to the complaint. Three other current or former Iowa State athletes were also charged with misdemeanor tampering, including former Cyclones defensive lineman Enyi Uwazurike.

Uwazurike, who debuted with the Denver Broncos in 2022, was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last month for violating the league’s gambling policy. He allegedly placed two bets on the Iowa State in 2021, Uwazurike’s final season with the Cyclones before he entered the 2022 NFL Draft. 

The charges stem from an investigation led by the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. 

“Since becoming aware of potential NCAA eligibility issues related to sports wagering by several of our student-athletes in May, Iowa State University has been actively working to address these issues with the involved student-athletes,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a statement on Wednesday. “This process is ongoing and will take time before being completely resolved. 

“Iowa State cannot comment on any student-athletes’ circumstance or eligibility status. We will, however, continue to support our student-athletes as our compliance staff works with the NCAA to sort out questions surrounding their future eligibility for intercollegiate athletics competition.”

Sophomore offensive lineman Dodge Sauser and sophomore wrestler Paniro Johnson were the other two charged. Dekkers, Sauser and Johnson face permanent NCAA bans.

The Des Moines Register was the first outlet to report the charges, and KCCI-TV published Dekkers’ court documents. 

Story County (Iowa) prosecutors allege Dekkers “engaged in a scheme” meant “to disguise his identity and manipulate online/mobile transactions in order to create the appearance” his father, Scott, placed the bets.

“Hunter Dekkers use of an account associated with a non-athlete individual allowed him to circumvent scrutiny and sidestep university and NCAA policies regarding student-athlete sports wagering conduct,” the four-page complaint stated.

Investigators were able to determine the bets made by Dekkers through DraftKings were placed with Dekkers’ iPhone. A total of 366 wagers were placed by Dekkers — 297 when he was under the state’s legal betting age of 21 — that totaled at least $2,799.

Among the 26 wagers Dekkers made involving Iowa State was a 2021 bet on the Cyclones in a game against Oklahoma State, according to the complaint.

Messages left with Story County district attorney, and the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission were not immediately returned.

Several athletes from Iowa State and Iowa have been subject to investigation since early May. 

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A detailed view of some NFL footballs before the Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium.

New NFL Policy Toughens on Game Fixing, Betting on Own Team

However, the league is also lightening up on lesser violations.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium.

NFL Fans Can Now Bet On Games While Streaming

BetVision will allow users to bet while watching NFL games.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics' displays to elevate recruiting.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Football analyst and PFF investor Chris Collinsworth talks to man in front of computers

Cris Collinsworth 'Lost a Lot of Sleep' Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues

New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.”
NBC is interested in media rights to the expanded College Football Playoff.
exclusive
October 2, 2023

NBC Is Interested in Expanded College Football Playoff Media Rights

NBC is one of the networks pitching the CFP, a source confirmed.
October 2, 2023

MLB Attendance Surges 70 Million, Tops League Projections

League posts best year-over-year increase at the gate since 1993
Levi's Stadium
October 2, 2023

49ers Study Shows Benefits of Public-Private Stadium Deals

Levi’s Stadium has generated more than $2 billion per new study.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on field after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Taylor Swift Shaking Up Travis Kelce, Chiefs Prop Betting Market

Sportsbooks are capitalizing with Taylor Swift-themed prop bets.
Alabama hitter Jim Jarvis dives back into first safely on a pickoff play against Troy at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday June 4, 2023, in the winners bracket game of the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament.
September 28, 2023

Alabama Betting Scandal Figure Banned From Wagering in Indiana

The ban comes amid a crackdown on betting activity across college sports.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson fumbles the ball out of bounds in the end zone while being tackled by Philadelphia Eagles safety Terrell Edmunds during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 17, 2023

NFL Survivor Pools Remain Relevant in the Legal Sports Betting Era

Survivor’s appeal comes from its uncomplicated premise.
September 16, 2023

The Newcomers That Want To Upend Sports Betting’s Duopoly

Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN Bet eye major market impact during NFL season
Colorado Buffaloes running back Dylan Edwards reaches for the ball past Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Deshon Singleton in the third quarter at Folsom Field.
September 14, 2023

Sportsbooks Are Content With Bettors ‘Embracing’ Colorado Hype

Heading into Week 3 and longer-term, the books aren’t sweating it.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
September 8, 2023

Deion Sanders’ Colorado Is the ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ for Sportsbooks

The Buffaloes are darlings for the sports betting public.
DraftKings
September 7, 2023

NFL Season Start Heightens Sportsbook Battle For Customers

Sportsbooks get aggressive with promotions to attract new bettors
Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers throws the ball during the Cy-Hawk Series football game against Iowa.
September 7, 2023

Five Plead Guilty in State Betting Probe Ahead of Iowa-Iowa State Game

The current and former players pleaded guilty to lesser charges.