Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers is facing serious allegations of illegal sports betting, which could result in NCAA penalties. A criminal complaint filed by the Story County Attorney’s Office states that Dekkers placed 26 bets on various Iowa State sporting events, including football games. The total amount wagered through his DraftKings account exceeds $2,799.
One of the bets in question was placed on an Iowa State football game against Oklahoma State during the 2021 season. Although Dekkers didn’t play in that game, the Cyclones emerged victorious. The details of that specific bet, as well as the other 25 bets Dekkers allegedly made on Iowa State events, remain undisclosed.
According to the complaint, Dekkers’ parents were accomplices in the scheme to conceal his identity by making it appear as though the bets were coming from his mother. Dekkers consistently placed bets on his personal phone, with the complaint stating that he made 297 of the 366 wagers while underage.
In addition to the gambling allegations, Dekkers is also charged with tampering with records related to an investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation into sports gambling. The specifics of this offense on November 7, 2021, are currently unknown.
If found guilty, Dekkers faces the permanent loss of eligibility under the NCAA’s new guidelines on gambling. These guidelines have been implemented to uphold the integrity and fairness of college sports.
During the previous season, Dekkers threw for 3,044 yards and 19 touchdowns but also had 14 interceptions. The Cyclones finished with a 4-8 record. Iowa State is scheduled to kick off their upcoming season against Northern Iowa on September 2.
The recent scandals involving Iowa and Iowa State athletes are just a few examples of the growing issue of sports gambling within the sports world. In May, both universities confirmed allegations of online sports betting involving their athletes, including players from the football and men’s basketball teams.
Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired in May after suspiciously large bets were placed on Crimson Tide games, while Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who previously played for Iowa State, was suspended indefinitely last month for gambling on NFL games during the previous season. Uwazurike’s suspension marked the tenth NFL player to be penalized for violating the league’s gambling policy since April.
The emergence of these scandals serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger measures to prevent sports betting among athletes and maintain the integrity of collegiate and professional sports alike. As investigations continue, it remains to be seen how these cases will unfold and what actions will be taken to address the issue effectively.
