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Iowa, both its big name schools, is front and center of a current NCAA football gambling probe. Following weeks of silence since news of an investigation was first announced, seven individuals have now been criminally charged with violation of school gambling policy.
Each is accused in the complaints of tampering with records related to an Iowa Criminal Division investigation into sports gambling. Current athletes also face a loss of eligibility for violating NCAA gambling rules.
The news first started leaking out on Wednesday.
David Purdum of ESPN reported on Wednesday evening:
Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers has been accused of betting on events involving the Cyclones, including a 2021 football game, and is among four current or former athletes at the university charged with tampering with records related to an ongoing investigation by the Iowa Criminal Division.
An affidavit included with the criminal complaint filed Monday in the Iowa District Court for Story County alleges approximately 366 bets totaling $2,799 were placed on a DraftKings sportsbook account linked to Dekkers, including 26 on Iowa State sporting events.
More specifically, Dekkers is accused of betting on Iowa State in their game against Oklahoma on October 23, 2021. Iowa was among the first US states to legalize sports betting in 2018.
DraftKings has yet to issue on a statement on this matter.
Now it is revealed that ex-Hawkeyes basketball player Ahron Ulis is among those with the highest profiles being charged. Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen and Iowa kicker Aaron Blom were also charged.
In late July, Iowa Hawkeyes football star Noah Shannon announced he would be sitting out the Big Ten Media Days last week due to his involvement in the NCAA investigation into sports gambling.
Also of note, Iowa State wrestler Pariro Johnson, who won a Big 12 wrestling title last year as a freshman, is alleged to have placed about 1,283 bets online worth more than $45,600, according to the complaint.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
