The Iowa State gambling controversy reached a new level on Tuesday as starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers faced serious allegations related to him betting on Cyclones sports.
The Des Moines Register and Yahoo Sports reported that Dekkers is accused of tampering with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports gambling.
It relates to him gambling on various Iowa State sporting events, including a football game while he was on the sideline with the Cyclones.
The details of the allegations demonstrate clear violations and could have a severe impact on Dekkers’ future in football.
We’ve outlined five key details in the story.
Dekkers allegedly placed 26 wagers on Iowa State sporting events
Per the report, Dekkers placed a ton of bets on Iowa State sports.
Dekkers is accused of placing 26 wagers on Iowa State sporting events, including the 2021 football game against Oklahoma State when he was a sophomore backup quarterback, according to the complaint, filed in Iowa District Court for Story County. Dekkers did not play in that game.
The complaint alleges the DraftKings account controlled by Dekkers completed approximately 366 mobile/online sports wagers totaling “over $2,799.”
Dekkers’ parents were allegedly involved in the betting scandal
Yahoo Sports reported that Dekkers’ parents encouraged his gambling activity all while he was underage.
According to the complaint, Dekkers’ parents “engaged in a scheme” with him to disguise his identity and make it seem like the bets he was placing were coming from his mom. Dekkers “routinely and consistently” placed bets on his personal phone while on campus, and he placed 297 of the 366 bets while underage.
Dekkers is even accused of tampering with Iowa’s investigation into sports betting
Yahoo Sports added that Dekkers is also facing charges for tampering with the investigation into his alleged gambling.
Dekkers is also facing charges of tampering with records related to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports gambling in the official complaint. That alleged offense occurred on Nov. 7, 2021, though specifics related to that charge are still unknown.
Dekkers could permanently lose his NCAA eligibility
If he’s found guilty of his gambling allegations, Dekkers could be permanently banned from any NCAA sports participation, per the Des Moines Register.
Dekkers, who started all 12 of the Cyclones’ games last season, would face permanent loss of eligibility under NCAA guidelines that prohibit athletes from wagering on their own games or other sports at their own schools.
One of Dekkers’ former teammates is also facing charges
The NFL recently suspended Denver Broncos defensive lineman Enyi Uwazurike for gambling on NFL games.
Well, it turns out he’s facing the similar allegations Dekkers is for his time at Iowa State, per the Des Moines Register.
Former Iowa State defensive lineman Enyi Uwazurike is also facing a complaint of tampering with records, and he is accused of placing wagers in two games he played in while a Cyclone in 2021. Uwazurike placed wagers on Iowa State’s games against Iowa and Kansas that year, authorities allege.