UI says in statement it’s aware of sports wagering investigation and fully cooperating
Iowa Gaming Commission says no suspicious wagering activity involving Iowa or Iowa State sporting events
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The rumors and speculation about possible gambling violations involving some University of Iowa student-athletes is now more than just rumor and speculation as the Board of Regents, the University of Iowa and Iowa State University all have released statements saying they’re aware of the sports wagering investigation.
The Board of Regents issued the following statement on Monday:
“The board of regents and the universities will fully cooperate with any investigations related to these concerns. We are closely monitoring the situation and have confidence that University admininstrators at each institution will take the necessary steps to ensure ongoing compliance.”
The University of Iowa also released a statement on Monday, and just a few hours after the Action Network reported that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission was investigating the Iowa baseball team.
“The University of Iowa and the Department of Athletics are aware of the sports wagering investigation and are fully cooperating. “We have alerted the NCAA of the potential violations and we have hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process.
“The athletics department provides education on NCAA rules regarding the prohibition of sports wagering as well as the potential consequences.”
Iowa’s investigation reportedly includes 26 current athletes from football, baseball, men’s basketball, wrestling and men’s track and field, in addition to one full-time employee.
Iowa State University released the following statment:
“Iowa State University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is aware of online sports wagering allegations involving approximately 15 of our active student-athletes from the sports of football, wrestling and track & field in violation of NCAA rules.”
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission told Action Network there’s no evidence of suspicious wagering activity or game fixing involving any Iowa of Iowa State sporting event.
“We review the types of wagers that come in and how suspicious they are,” said Brian Ohorilko, the director for the state gaming commission. “We have no reason to believe that there’s anything like that here.”
Ohorilko made those comments in an interview with Action Network Monday night.
And while sports gambling is now legal in more than 30 states, NCAA student-athletes still are prohibited from betting on college and professional sports.