In a stunning turn of events shaking the world of professional basketball, the NBA gambling scandal has led to the FBI arresting NBA player Terry Rozier, head coach Chauncey Billups, and dozens of other individuals in connection with a sprawling illegal gambling and mafia-linked poker investigation. The operation, which federal prosecutors described as one of the most extensive sports corruption probes in recent years, has unveiled two major indictments involving both sports betting manipulation and rigged poker games tied to organized crime.
According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, 31, was among six people arrested for alleged involvement in betting irregularities. Authorities claim Rozier and others conspired to manipulate gambling outcomes by faking injuries and sharing insider information to sway bets on NBA games. Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups faces charges related to a multi-million-dollar mafia poker scheme, in which high-profile athletes were allegedly used to lure victims into rigged games.
The FBI’s investigation, which spanned 11 U.S. states, involved tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft. FBI Director Kash Patel described the operation as “extraordinary,” emphasizing that the agency’s coordinated takedown exposed “a deeply rooted network of sports corruption and organized crime.”
FBI Reveals Details of the NBA Betting Scheme
Prosecutors allege that Rozier and several associates exploited insider information to profit from illegal sports wagers placed through major gambling platforms. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. called the case “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legal.”
Between February 2023 and March 2024, seven NBA games came under federal scrutiny. In one notable incident, Rozier allegedly informed an associate he would leave a game early due to a foot injury while playing for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans. That associate and others reportedly placed over $200,000 in bets predicting Rozier’s underperformance — a bet that paid off when he exited after only nine minutes with just five points scored.
Federal investigators say similar tactics were employed across multiple games involving other players. Former NBA athlete Damon Jones was also arrested, accused of participating in betting manipulation tied to Lakers games in early 2023 and 2024.
Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, denied the allegations, insisting that prosecutors were relying on “spectacularly incredible sources” rather than factual evidence. “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight,” Trusty stated.
Rigged Poker Games and Mafia Links
While Rozier’s case centers on sports betting, the second indictment targets 31 individuals accused of participating in a mafia-backed poker conspiracy that defrauded victims out of more than $7 million.
The elaborate scheme allegedly involved members of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families, who used technology such as contact lenses, X-ray poker tables, and marked cards to cheat players during high-stakes games. According to prosecutors, unsuspecting victims were invited to glamorous poker events in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan, and the Hamptons, where they played alongside celebrities and ex-athletes — unaware the games were rigged.
“What the victims didn’t know is that everyone else at the table, from the dealer to the players, was in on the scam,” said Nocella.
Those who refused to pay were reportedly subjected to threats, intimidation, and extortion by organized crime groups. The charges include robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling.
Authorities said the operation cheated victims out of at least $7 million, with one individual alone losing $1.8 million. FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia described the bust as “only the tip of the iceberg,” adding that the bureau will continue working to dismantle “mafia families wreaking havoc in our communities.”
NBA Responds to the Allegations
In a statement, the NBA said that both Rozier and Billups had been placed on immediate leave pending further review of the indictments. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness,” the league said. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
The revelations have sent shockwaves through the sports community, with concerns about the growing influence of gambling in professional sports. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting at the state level, gambling partnerships have exploded across U.S. sports leagues — raising fears of corruption and conflicts of interest.
Observers note that the scandal could lead to new calls for tighter regulation of sports betting, particularly as more athletes and coaches become financially intertwined with gambling sponsors.
Federal Authorities Signal More Arrests May Come
U.S. Attorney Nocella warned that this may not be the end: “Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out.”
Law enforcement officials hinted that more arrests could follow as the investigation expands into related cases involving online gambling platforms and possible money laundering.
NBA insiders say the league is cooperating fully with federal authorities, while fans and analysts alike express disbelief at how deeply organized crime may have penetrated the sport.
As one prosecutor put it during Thursday’s press briefing:
“This was not just about greed — it was about betrayal of trust at the highest levels of professional sports.”
Source: BBC News
