11 Iowa Athletes Receive Eligibility Rulings After Gambling Investigation
The University of Iowa announced on Tuesday that the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement staff issued eligibility rulings on 11 athletes who were "involved in sports wagering" (h/t Adam Rittenberg of ESPN).
The school added that it would not publicly disclose those determinations until it had an athlete's consent to do so, as the information was protected under the Family Education Right and Privacy Act, and it would support any athletes who appeal the ruling.
Iowa wide receiver Jack Johnson and former Iowa football players Arland Bruce IV and Reggie Bracy (both have since transferred) were among those who have been charged in the state's investigation into the gambling of college athletes, per Rittenberg.
Additionally, former Hawkeyes basketball player Ahron Ulis, Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen and Hawkeyes kicker Aaron Blom have been charged in the widespread investigation, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
A number of Iowa State athletes have also been implicated in the gambling investigation, including quarterback Hunter Dekkers, running back Jirehl Brock and defensive tackle Isaiah Lee, who have each since stepped away from the team or left the program altogether.
As sports gambling becomes more accessible on digital devices, legal in more states and has been embraced in partnerships with pro sporting leagues, it has also become an increasingly major issue in the sporting world, as a number of athletes have been caught and reprimanded for betting.
The NFL has handed out multiple suspensions the past two years for players who broke the league's gambling policy, while Calvin Ridley was suspended for all of last season after wagering on his own team while he was sidelined.
The NCAA recently updated its own reinstatement rules for gambling infractions that occur after May 2, including a permanent ban for players who bet on their own games, influence the final result of those games, bet on other sports at their own school or provide insider information to bettors.
However, more lenient punishments were agreed upon for players betting on sports at schools they don't attend, depending on the amounts wagered.
