Why Are Only Two Schools in One State Under a Gambling Probe Tied to Multiple Sports Programs?
Inquiring minds want to know. There are some 250 plus colleges that compete in NCAA football lined games, teams offered for betting by bookmakers. Of these, only two of the college football programs - Iowa and Iowa State - are being investigated for violation of the NCAA gambling policy.
That by itself might seem like a fluke, two college football programs just happen to be based out of the same state. But then there is this: Both school investigations are looking into other sports programs, not just football. Ex-Iowa basketball player Ahron Ulis, for example, is among those accused of placing bets and charged with underage sports gambling. Individuals must be 21 to place bets in the state of Iowa. A total of 111 people, including 26 athletes and one athletic department employee.
Brock is accused of placing 1,327 wagers for more than $12,050, according to court records. These included alleged bets on his own team while still playing for them.
Bruce, the complaint contends, placed bets on 11 Iowa games in which he participated over two seasons under the name "Vincent Bruce" through the sports betting app DraftKings.
Athletes who place bets on their own teams or on their schools' sporting events face permanent ineligibility, according to NCAA rules. And some of them are accused of doing exactly that.
Cyclones running back Jirehl Brock and former Iowa wide receiver Arland Bruce IV are two current players charged.
The NCAA has since updated its gambling policy guidelines in the wake of this scandal.
Athletes engaging in activities to influence the outcomes of their own games or knowingly providing information to individuals involved in sports betting activities will potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports. This also applies to student-athletes who wager on their own games or on other sports at their own schools.
If an athlete wagers on their own sport at another school, sports wagering education will be required as a condition of reinstatement, and the loss of 50% of one season of eligibility will be considered.
The idea that it only one state would be dealing with such a crisis over multiple programs seems odd. And now Iowa's head coach Kirk Kirk Ferentz wants answers.
"I think it's interesting that we're the only state I'm aware of, and I think it's interesting more than two colleges in our state [are under DCI investigation]. So it's kind of interesting how that all came about. I'm not excusing anybody that's involved.
"And then also I assume they've maybe had charges against non-athletes, as well. I don't know that. Point there is I don't know a lot of things right now, and we'll deal with what we do know when it's presented to us."
Ferentz has flatly stated a zero-tolerance policy if any player was proved to have gambled on Iowa games.
T.C. Jackson, Gambling911.com
