NBA stars, mafia among dozens arrested for gambling

NBA stars and mafia among dozens arrested in illegal gambling crackdown

NBA stars, mafia among dozens arrested for gambling

The NBA is reeling from a massive federal investigation that has ensnared Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups in a web of illegal sports betting and mafia-linked poker games.

Federal prosecutors on Thursday unsealed two explosive indictments, naming Rozier and Billups among dozens arrested in a multi-state FBI crackdown. The operation, described by FBI Director Kash Patel as “extraordinary,” spanned 11 states and uncovered tens of millions of dollars in fraud, theft, and extortion.

Rozier Accused of Betting Manipulation

Rozier, 31, is one of six individuals charged in a sports betting scheme that allegedly saw NBA players fake injuries to sway gambling outcomes. Prosecutors cited seven games between February 2023 and March 2024, including a Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans matchup where Rozier allegedly exited early after tipping off associates to bet against his performance.

He reportedly scored just five points in nine minutes before leaving due to a sore foot—far below his season average of 21 points and 35 minutes per game. The alleged insider betting generated tens of thousands of dollars in profits.

Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, dismissed the charges, saying his client was “cleared by the NBA” and accused prosecutors of relying on “spectacularly in-credible sources.” Rozier was released on bail after posting his $6 million Florida home as collateral.

Billups Named in Mafia Poker Ring

In a separate indictment, Billups was charged alongside 30 others in a high-stakes poker scam allegedly orchestrated by members of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families. Prosecutors say victims were lured into games with retired athletes, including Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones, only to be fleeced using high-tech cheating tools like contact lenses, marked cards, and X-ray tables.

Victims reportedly lost up to $1.8 million per game, with the total fraud estimated at $7 million. When players refused to pay, mafia enforcers allegedly used threats and intimidation to collect debts.

Billups, who has coached the Trail Blazers since 2021, was arrested in Portland and is expected to post a substantial bond. His lawyer, Chris Heywood, vowed to fight the charges “with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career.”

NBA Responds

The NBA has placed both men on immediate leave pending review of the indictments. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness,” the league said. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority.”

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added, “As the NBA season tips off, Rozier’s career is already benched—not for injury, but for integrity.”

A Billion-Dollar Industry Under Scrutiny

The scandal comes amid a surge in legal sports betting across the U.S. since the federal ban was lifted in 2018. Prosecutors say the case represents “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes” since legalization.

FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia warned that the investigation is far from over. “This is only the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “We’re working to ensure mafia families can no longer wreak havoc in our communities.”

As the legal drama unfolds, the NBA faces a reckoning over its ties to the booming gambling industry—and the dark underbelly that may come with it.