The NBA has been rocked by a major illegal gambling scandal after two prominent figures were arrested in a sweeping federal investigation. Chauncey Billups, Hall of Fame player and coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Miami Heat star Terry Rozier are among over 30 individuals charged in connection with operations linked to organised crime families.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests on Thursday, describing a years-long criminal enterprise involving sports rigging and illegal gambling. The investigation uncovered ties to the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime families, with charges including wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery and illegal gambling.
Rozier is accused of participating in a scheme to manipulate prop bets while playing for the Charlotte Hornets in March 2024. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Rozier allegedly informed associates he would leave a game early with a fake injury. Bets totalling over $200,000 were placed on his under statistics, and when he exited after nine minutes, the bets paid out tens of thousands of dollars, which were later delivered to his home.
The second indictment involves Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones, accused of participating in rigged poker games backed by the mafia. Prosecutors allege the games used sophisticated cheating technology, including rigged shuffling machines and X-ray tables, to steal millions from victims lured by the chance to play alongside former athletes. The defendants face charges of fraud and money laundering.
