Broncos DE Eyioma Uwazurike Faces State Review Before Gambling Reinstatement

Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended last year for betting on hundreds of games — including five involving the Broncos — during his rookie 2022 season, and now his case is under review by the Colorado Department of Revenue and Arapahoe County prosecutors to determine whether any state gambling laws were violated ahead of his reinstatement date.

NFL is waiting until state authorities conclude their review before reinstating Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike

According to 9NEWS’ Mike Klis, although no charges have been filed, it’s unknown whether charges will be filed in the weeks ahead. Arapahoe County is working with the state’s gaming department on a criminal investigation regarding Uwazurike.

“Sources also said the NFL is waiting until state and local authorities conclude their review before determining whether to reinstate Uwazurike. This could happen when he is eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24, or the day after Broncos veteran players report to training camp,” Klis wrote.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Uwazurike is eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24, 2024.

NFL players are often reinstated by the league the same day they apply. However, each case is unique, and the number of wagers is a factor that both the league and state authorities have to consider.

In Uwazurike’s case, he is accused of placing 32 bets on five Broncos games, including one in which he played, according to a criminal complaint filed last year by the Story County (Iowa) Attorney’s Office.

Gambling allegations against Uwazurike and other Iowa State athletes were dismissed

The initial gambling allegations against Eyioma Uwazurike and other Iowa State athletes were dismissed because it was determined the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation wrongfully used a geolocation software to collect information on their locations.

Per Klis, attorneys for the plaintiffs, including Uwazurike, successfully argued that using the geolocation software was a violation of their constitutional rights.

Uwazurike, 26, is represented by Harvey Steinberg, the local attorney who has successfully won cases for multiple Broncos’ players, such as Bill Romanowski and Perrish Cox.

“Iowa court suppressed all evidence seized, finding it was taken illegally,’’ Steinberg told 9NEWS. “That ruling is binding on the Colorado courts and the Colorado prosecutors. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to attempt to prosecute a case here when all the charges were dismissed in Iowa as result of that ruling.”