Federal lawsuit filed by Iowa athletes against Department of Criminal Justice

April 26, 2024
By
Leer en Español

New development comes after some athletes saw charges dropped against them in sports betting investigation.

Attorneys for more than two dozen athletes that played for Iowa University, Iowa State and Ellsworth Community College have filed a 47 page lawsuit against the Division of Criminal Investigation. The lawsuit states that the athletes had their constitutional rights violated when state criminal investigators used geolocation software to track activity on their cellphones as part of a widespread sports wagering investigation. The investigation led to criminal charges being placed on the Iowa-based athletes and also resulted in the loss of NCAA eligibility. 

"The lives of these young men have been disrupted and altered in ways still yet to be fully seen," attorneys for the plaintiffs Matt Boles, Adam Witosky and Van Plumb said in a statement. 

"It is our hope that through the civil action we can help these young men put their lives back on track and gain a measure of justice for the violation of their rights."

The attorneys believe Iowa, its Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation and its agents violated the athletes' civil rights by using GeoComply software without a warrant to identify phones using mobile sports betting apps within Iowa and Iowa State athletic facilities. While state investigators had warrants to obtain this information and search the phones of the athletes, the lawsuit alleges those warrants were “invalid and unconstitutional” because the information used to get them signed off on were acquired without a warrant. GeoComply is a geolocation software offered to major sportsbooks in order to easily monitor its users. 

The plaintiffs are 26 current and former athletes, 16 from the University of Iowa, nine from Iowa State and one from Ellsworth. 13 were on the football team, six wrestled and the other seven played for either the baseball or basketball teams. 16 of the athletes were criminally charged and 12 pled guilty to underage gambling while the others saw their charges dropped but suffered from loss of playing time, the threat of NCAA or NFL sanctions and damage to their athletic career as stated by the lawsuit.  More on the 2023 suit can be found here.

State-by-State

Company Spotlight

Bragg Gaming

Bragg Gaming Group is a global content-driven iGaming technology provider, serving online and land-based gaming operators with its proprietary and exclusive content and cutting-edge technology.
Virtual Showroom

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Industry Awards

Land-Based

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

GA Newsletter

Exclusive news, analysis, insights, and interviews delivered straight to your inbox

Rickard Vikström: How 2025 is shaping up for US iGaming

Internet Vikings CEO & Founder Rickard Vikström joins Gaming America to discuss the US online landscape in 2025.

CEO Special: Ray Pineault, Mohegan President & CEO

In the last 30 years, Tribal gaming has gone from fighting for a place at the table to having a permanent seat. Having been with Mohegan for 24 years, in this CEO Special edition of the Huddle we spoke to Mohegan President and CEO Ray Pineault, where we discussed: The importance of teamwork His early law career and coming to Mohegan Balancing work life and family life The development of Tribal gaming during his 24 years with Mohegan Mohegan's bid for New York What Mohegan means to him.


Another year approaches its end, as 2024 slowly becomes our past, 2025 the present and a wave of opportunity defines gaming's future. There is an air of change as the regulated gaming world looks to welcome a new entra...

8-10-From-the-top
From the top: Reflecting on the past and looking to the future of land-based casinos
Gaming America reviews the closures of the Mirage Hotel and Casino, as well as the Tropicana, but also keeps an eye on the future with Durango Casino and Resort GM David Horn.
36-41-Oliver-Lovat
Cover Feature: Exploring what might be next for land-based casinos
Nothing is new. Everything is new. Oliver Lovat, regular Gaming America columnist and resident Las Vegas expert, discusses what the next generation of casinos need to succeed, while also reflecting on Vegas' generational shift away from the Tropicana and Mirage.
42-43-Lefosse---Brazilian-Sports-Betting
Steadying the ship in LatAm's largest market
After regulatory limbo, sports betting in Brazil is moving towards legal certainty – by Eduardo Carvalhaes, partner in Public Law and Regulation at Lefosse, and Karen Coutinho, counsel in Public Law and Regulation at Lefosse.
44-45-Lazarus-Legal
Brazilian opportunity: The future of LatAm
Edwin Monzon, Managing Partner of Lazarus Legal, speaks to Gaming America about Brazil's upcoming iGaming and online sports betting regulation, assessing both the prospects and challenges involved.

Sweepstakes were the talk of G2E 2024 and are generating plenty of headlines as we enter 2025. It is a fascinating vertical – and indeed whether it should even be seen as a legal vertical at all is in question. The Am...

8-10-From-the-Top
Countdown to launch: Just in time
In this edition of From The Top, Caesars New Orleans SVP and GM Samir Mowad speaks with Kirk Geller to detail what the future holds after the property finally completed its $435m transformation.
14-15-GGA-Americas
The industry's best getting their deserved recognition
The 11th annual Global Gaming Awards Americas once again honored and rewarded the gaming industry's strongest performers throughout the prior 12 months during G2E in Las Vegas.
16-18-G2E-Review
G2E 2024: Discussing the future of US iGaming
A deep dive into the lively debate: Gaming America's Laura Mack examines the objections to US iGaming expansion and the mythbusters offered as a rebuttal at G2E. Surely, it is inevitable in the long run?
20-21-year-review
G2E 2024: A year in review
Gaming America sits down with Pro League Network's (PLN) Mike Salvaris at The Venetian during G2E, to sum up the year and give us the inside scoop of what sports betting has in store for 2025.