Iowa turns to account sharing after student gambling scandal
Iowa State college athletes are under investigation for betting on games, allegedly using someone else's account. Now, state regulators are taking steps to crack down on the practice.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) is considering proposed rule changes that would require sports betting operators to do more to prevent underage bettors from accessing their platforms through shared accounts.
The commission wants sportsbook operators to better inform their customers, ban account sharing and not allow them to place bets on behalf of anyone under 21.
Current regulations already prohibit account sharing. However, the new rules will require sportsbooks to display prominent language listing such prohibitions on "any interface that accepts bets."
The changes are part of an "in-depth investigation" of student athletes at the state's colleges.
WARNING REQUIRED
When the new rules are implemented, sports betting sites and apps will be required to include the following disclaimers:
"(1) Sharing of accounts is prohibited. Each account holder may not share a username or password with any other person. Any bets placed on the account may only be made by the registered account holder and not on behalf of any other person.
"(2) Betting by persons under 21 years of age is prohibited. No person shall attempt to circumvent account setup procedures designed to prohibit betting by anyone under 21 years of age. A registered account holder shall not attempt to assist any person under 21 years of age in placing bets."
Another proposed change would require sportsbooks to take additional steps to impose betting bans on coaches, players and others associated with sports teams. Operators must either maintain their own lists of banned punters or join third-party organizations that maintain such lists.
Other proposed changes would add account sharing to the list of violations that sports betting operators must report to regulators and add new requirements related to account verification procedures to prevent access by minors.
PLAYER ALLEGED TO BE USING SHARED ACCOUNT
The proposed rules come as dozens of student-athletes from Iowa State and Iowa State allegedly violated NCAA rules by placing sports bets.
Seven gamblers were indicted as part of a state gambling investigation and accused of using other people's accounts to place bets on sporting events, including some involving their own teams.
For example, Iowa wide receiver Jack Johnson reportedly placed 380 bets on a DraftKings account his mother set up when he was a minor.
Two former Iowa State players, wide receiver Alan Bruce IV and safety Reggie Bracey, allegedly placed hundreds of bets on accounts set up by members of the Bruce family. Owen O'Brien, a student manager for the Iowa State football team, is accused of placing 350 bets through his mother's FanDuel account.
Iowa State running back Jirehl Brock allegedly used a friend's name and account to place more than $12,000 in bets, including on at least three football games he attended.
Public hearing scheduled for October
A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 10 in Des Moines.
Until then, individuals or organizations can comment on the proposal.
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Source: www.casino.org
