A controversy has arisen in Iowa over a tech company’s offer to help the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s sports wagering unit, resulting in a statewide investigation into sports gambling. The DCI received software from GeoComply, a Canadian company, that allowed them to track the locations of users placing wagers on sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings.
Using this software, the DCI discovered that Iowa State University and University of Iowa athletes were using accounts registered to parents and friends to place bets, some even on their own games. This led to 25 arrests and widespread controversy over the enforcement of the investigation.
GeoComply cut off access to the software amid the uproar, leading to a prosecutor moving to dismiss some cases. The Iowa sports betting law allows for the DCI to investigate sports betting crimes, but does not specify methods of investigation for online bets. The law also requires sports betting companies to monitor users and report suspicious activities.
Following the controversy, the racing and gaming commission sought to amend regulations to require online sportsbooks to verify user identities and maintain lists of athletes and team personnel. However, these changes were rejected by lawmakers as too vague.
Overall, the investigation sheds light on issues surrounding the enforcement of sports betting laws in Iowa and highlights the complexities of regulating the rapidly-growing industry.
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Photo credit www.desmoinesregister.com
