In a shocking turn of events, the FBI has arrested dozens of individuals, including an active NBA star and a head coach, as part of a major investigation into illegal sports betting and mafia-linked poker games.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named in two separate federal indictments announced Thursday. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.
NBA star Rozier, 31, was among six people charged with allegedly manipulating betting outcomes by faking injuries during NBA games. Federal prosecutors claim the accused used insider information to influence gambling markets, with Rozier reportedly linked to a February 2023 matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans.
According to the indictment, Rozier informed a friend he would exit the game early due to injury. The friend then placed or directed bets exceeding $200,000 that Rozier would underperform. He left the game after just nine minutes, scoring five points and resulting in significant betting profits for those involved.
Rozier’s attorney, James Trusty, rejected the accusations, stating his client was “not a gambler” and that prosecutors were “relying on unreliable sources rather than concrete evidence.” Rozier was released on bail after posting his Florida home, valued at $6 million, as collateral.
Billups Accused in Mafia-Linked Poker Scheme
Meanwhile, Chauncey Billups, the Trail Blazers coach and former NBA champion, faces separate charges for alleged involvement in an underground poker network tied to New York’s mafia families.
Authorities say the case involves 31 defendants, including 13 associates from the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families. The group allegedly organized high-stakes poker games featuring celebrities and former athletes in locations such as Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons — using rigged technology to cheat participants out of millions.
Investigators claim the group used modified shuffling machines, contact lenses, and even an X-ray poker table to read marked cards. Victims reportedly lost between tens of thousands and $1.8 million per game, with the total fraud estimated at $7 million.
When victims refused to pay, members of organized crime groups allegedly used threats and intimidation to extort funds.
Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, stated that his client “will fight these allegations with the same determination that defined his 28-year career.”
FBI and NBA Respond
At a press briefing in Brooklyn, FBI Director Kash Patel called the coordinated arrests “extraordinary,” describing the operation as a multi-year, multi-state takedown spanning 11 states.
“We’re talking about tens of millions in fraud, theft, and corruption,” Patel said.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. labeled the cases “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since the legalization of online betting,” while emphasizing that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty.
The NBA released a statement confirming that both Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave, noting that the league “takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness” and is cooperating fully with federal authorities.
Broader Context
The scandal underscores growing concerns about the influence of gambling within professional sports. After the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, the industry has exploded into a billion-dollar enterprise, with major leagues partnering directly with betting platforms.
As the FBI continues its investigation, officials warn that more arrests could follow.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia. “We will not allow organized crime to corrupt sports or exploit communities.”
In a shocking turn of events, the FBI has arrested dozens of individuals, including an active NBA star and a head coach, as part of a major investigation into illegal sports betting and mafia-linked poker games.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named in two separate federal indictments announced Thursday. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.
NBA star Rozier, 31, was among six people charged with allegedly manipulating betting outcomes by faking injuries during NBA games. Federal prosecutors claim the accused used insider information to influence gambling markets, with Rozier reportedly linked to a February 2023 matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans.
According to the indictment, Rozier informed a friend he would exit the game early due to injury. The friend then placed or directed bets exceeding $200,000 that Rozier would underperform. He left the game after just nine minutes, scoring five points and resulting in significant betting profits for those involved.
Rozier’s attorney, James Trusty, rejected the accusations, stating his client was “not a gambler” and that prosecutors were “relying on unreliable sources rather than concrete evidence.” Rozier was released on bail after posting his Florida home, valued at $6 million, as collateral.
Billups Accused in Mafia-Linked Poker Scheme
Meanwhile, Chauncey Billups, the Trail Blazers coach and former NBA champion, faces separate charges for alleged involvement in an underground poker network tied to New York’s mafia families.
Authorities say the case involves 31 defendants, including 13 associates from the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families. The group allegedly organized high-stakes poker games featuring celebrities and former athletes in locations such as Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons — using rigged technology to cheat participants out of millions.
Investigators claim the group used modified shuffling machines, contact lenses, and even an X-ray poker table to read marked cards. Victims reportedly lost between tens of thousands and $1.8 million per game, with the total fraud estimated at $7 million.
When victims refused to pay, members of organized crime groups allegedly used threats and intimidation to extort funds.
Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, stated that his client “will fight these allegations with the same determination that defined his 28-year career.”
FBI and NBA Respond
At a press briefing in Brooklyn, FBI Director Kash Patel called the coordinated arrests “extraordinary,” describing the operation as a multi-year, multi-state takedown spanning 11 states.
“We’re talking about tens of millions in fraud, theft, and corruption,” Patel said.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. labeled the cases “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since the legalization of online betting,” while emphasizing that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty.
The NBA released a statement confirming that both Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave, noting that the league “takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness” and is cooperating fully with federal authorities.
Broader Context
The scandal underscores growing concerns about the influence of gambling within professional sports. After the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, the industry has exploded into a billion-dollar enterprise, with major leagues partnering directly with betting platforms.
As the FBI continues its investigation, officials warn that more arrests could follow.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia. “We will not allow organized crime to corrupt sports or exploit communities.”
