Iowa Gambling Authorities Launch Investigation Against Hawkeyes Baseball After Player Suspensions
Fresh off the Alabama baseball betting scandal, another inquiry of the same ilk is underway.
On Monday, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission told Action Network it has launched an investigation into the University of Iowa’s baseball team after players were suspended for the team’s series against Ohio State this past weekend.
The email from Iowa’s gaming commission came on the heels of the university announcing on Friday that it withheld “some student-athletes” from its upcoming games “due to a potential violation.”
Two Iowa athletics spokespeople did not respond when asked if it pertained to gambling.
“The commission takes the integrity of gaming in the state seriously and is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide any additional information when able,” said Brian Ohorilko, the director of gaming for the state’s commission.
Four players weren’t present this weekend for Hawkeye baseball games, On3Sports’ Kyle Huesmann reported. Two of those players — infielder Keaton Anthony and relief pitcher Jacob Henderson — stood out as ones who regularly play.
Anthony leads the team in on base percentage, batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. Henderson last pitched on May 2 vs. Illinois State — the Hawkeyes’ previous game.
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College baseball has not typically received much gambling attention since a Supreme Court case legalized sports betting across the country five years ago.
But Iowa’s case comes mere days after Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after he was connected to suspicious wagering activity in Ohio.
A bettor in Ohio — who was on the phone with Bohannon when the decision to scratch Alabama’s best starter was made — placed two large wagers on LSU, the opposing team, at the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ballpark. The game was slated to begin just hours later.
The Tide replaced their best pitcher, Luke Holman, with a reliever who hadn’t started a game in over a month.
Alabama lost, 8-6, and an independent organization filed a report to state gaming commissions across the country indicating potential malfeasance.
To date, four states have halted all wagering on Alabama baseball.
Sources told Action Network that there isn’t any information that points to Alabama players being in on any bet.
Like Alabama, Iowa has postseason prospects. The Hawkeyes had been ranked in the Top 25 for a chunk of the season and may play a big part come June, when the NCAA Tournament and College World Series take place.
At 34-12, only two of their losses have occurred against a sub-.500 team — Illinois State on March 28 and Ohio State on May 7.
Source: The Action Network
