Iowa’s Sports Betting Account-Sharing Rules May Change Amid Student Betting Scandals

Article ByDavid Weir

August 29, 2023

Spread the Word:

Posted in: Iowa Gambling News, US Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

In response to recent controversies involving college athletes and illegal sports wagers in Iowa, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) is intensifying its efforts to emphasize the illegality of certain betting activities.

The proposed rules aim to provide greater clarity on what constitutes illegal betting in the state, especially in the context of underage betting and account-sharing.

The alleged betting activities by Iowa college athletes, such as Hunter Dekkers, have always been deemed illegal in the state and against National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) guidelines across the country. However, the new changes to the law will force Iowa online sportsbooks to further highlight and enforce these particular rules.

Despite what may be seen as obvious rules to some, Iowa athletes have nonetheless been accused of account-sharing in order to get round betting regulations, which makes the alleged offenses a criminal matter.

All over the U.S., sports betting leagues are scrambling to update their regulations regarding athletes and betting, as 37 states have legalized sports betting, with two more markets (North Carolina and Kentucky) set to launch in 2023.

Displaying Disclaimers

During a recent meeting, the IRGC introduced these proposed rules for Iowan bettors. One of the primary changes would require sports betting operators in the state to display disclaimers. Those would emphasize that it’s illegal for individuals under 21 to place wagers or use an account that isn’t registered in their name.

“Advance deposit sports wagering operators shall prominently display the following information on any interface that accepts wagers”, the proposed regulation says.

“(1) Account-sharing is prohibited. Each account holder must not share usernames or passwords with other people. Each wager made on an account shall be made by only the registered account holder and shall not be made on behalf of any other individual.

(2) Persons under the age of 21 are prohibited from wagering. No person shall attempt to circumvent account setup procedures designed to prohibit wagering from individuals under the age of 21. Registered account holders shall not attempt to assist in the placement of a wager by any individual under the age of 21.”

However, these rules won’t be implemented immediately.

They must first undergo a public comment period, with a public hearing on the changes scheduled for early October. There is a distinct possibility that this new language could be officially adopted before the end of the current college football season in Iowa.

Addressing Ignorance of the Law

The primary aim of these new notices is to ensure that bettors can’t claim ignorance of these provisions if they’re caught violating them.

During the first wave of the 10 gambling suspensions the NFL has handed out in 2023, one suspended player, Detroit Lions receiver James Williams, said he “wasn’t aware of the situation” regarding the league’s gambling policy for athletes.

As well as the ongoing investigations involving several athletes from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa and the NFL suspensions, back in May Alabama head baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after a gambling investigation. He allegedly communicated with a junior coach who attempted to place a $400,000 bet at a BetMGM sportsbook in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Things have got as far as coaches calling in Pete Rose, possibly the most famous illegal pro athlete sports bettor in the previous era of gambling prohibition, to speak to players on the Alabama college program.

The baseball legend would almost certainly be in the sport’s Hall of Fame if not for his 1989 gambling controversy while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Who, coincidentally, play at the very same Great American Ballpark stadium that hosted the BetMGM ‘book at the centre of the Bohannon incident.

Criminal Offences Alleged

What makes the Iowa scandal one of the more egregious examples of 2023, however, is that athletes using other’s accounts are violating state law, meaning the matter becomes a potential criminal offence.

The allegations against these individuals include tampering with records, which can lead to fines and even jail time if convicted.

Some athletes, like Dekkers, who served as a backup quarterback for Iowa State’s football team, are accused of placing bets on games in which their teams participated, which also calls into question the integrity of the game.

This latest move from Iowa regulators aims to ensure there is no ignorance, while further reinforcing the rules to potential bettors, which may or may not stem the tide of sports betting among athletes.

But, as ties deepen between the gambling sector and sports franchises and media faster than ever, regulators will certainly be continuing to push for more measures to keep the integrity of U.S. sports secure.