Dozens of individuals, including an active NBA player and a head coach, have been arrested as part of a comprehensive FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged poker games with suspected links to organized crime. Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named in separate federal indictments on Thursday. Both men have denied the allegations. The NBA has placed Rozier and Billups on immediate leave pending review of the indictments.
Federal Charges Announced
FBI Director Kash Patel announced two indictments on Thursday, detailing what he described as a "co-ordinated takedown across 11 states." The investigation spans multiple years and involves alleged fraud and theft totaling tens of millions of dollars. Joseph Nocella Jr., US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Allegations Against Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier, 31, is among six individuals arrested in connection with alleged betting irregularities. Prosecutors accuse NBA players of faking injuries to influence gambling markets.
Seven NBA games played between February 2023 and March 2024 have been identified as part of this case. Rozier is implicated in one game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Prosecutors allege that Rozier informed a friend he would exit the game early due to injury. The friend and associates then allegedly placed, or directed others to place, bets exceeding $200,000 on Rozier to underperform. Rozier reportedly left the game after nine minutes, scoring five points due to a sore right foot, which prosecutors stated resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in betting profits for those involved. Prior to this game, Rozier averaged 35 minutes and 21 points per game.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented that Rozier's career is "benched, not for injury but for integrity." Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested in connection with this investigation, allegedly involved in two games: a February 2023 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, and a January 2024 game between the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Allegations Against Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups, a Hall of Fame player who has coached the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021, is one of 31 individuals charged in a separate case involving illegal poker games and suspected mafia involvement. Prosecutors stated that this case involves four of the five major crime families in New York.
The alleged scheme involved luring individuals into rigged poker games alongside high-profile sports figures to defraud them of millions of dollars. Authorities report that the alleged rigging involved technology such as special contact lenses and glasses capable of reading pre-marked cards, as well as an X-ray table.
NBA and Legal Responses
The NBA released a statement asserting the seriousness of the allegations and its commitment to the integrity of the game.
Terry Rozier appeared in federal court in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday and was released on bail after using his Florida home, valued at $6 million, as collateral. His lawyer, James Trusty, denied the allegations, stating that prosecutors "appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case." Trusty added that he had been representing Rozier for over a year and that prosecutors had characterized Rozier as a subject, not a target, until his arrest.
Chauncey Billups was arrested in Portland, Oregon, and arraigned in court on Thursday. He is expected to arrange a substantial bond for his release. His lawyer, Chris Heywood, also denied the accusations, stating that Billups "will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career."
Context of Sports Betting Regulation
Sports betting was federally outlawed in most of the United States from 1992 until 2018. In 2018, the Supreme Court devolved the regulation of sports betting to individual states. Since the federal ban was lifted, the sports betting industry has expanded, with major sports leagues and media companies engaging in partnerships with gambling firms.