NBA Betting Scandal: Billups and Rozier Arrested in Mafia-Linked Gambling Investigations

Federal authorities have unveiled two sweeping investigations that have rocked the NBA, resulting in the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. The cases involve sophisticated illegal gambling operations connected to organized crime families, marking one of the most significant sports corruption scandals in recent memory.

The Sports Betting Scheme

According to federal indictments unsealed Thursday, Terry Rozier faces charges for his alleged involvement in an illegal sports betting operation that used insider NBA information to manipulate betting outcomes. The scheme allegedly involved at least seven NBA games between March 2023 and March 2024, with Rozier accused of intentionally removing himself from games to benefit gamblers' bets.

The indictment reveals that Rozier, while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, allegedly informed childhood friend Deniro Laster that he would remove himself from a March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a supposed injury. This information was then sold to bettors for approximately $100,000, who used it to place successful wagers on Rozier's unders after he left the game after just nine minutes of play.

The Poker Rigging Operation

Chauncey Billups faces separate charges in what authorities describe as a wide-ranging scheme to rig underground poker games backed by Mafia families. According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., the defendants used sophisticated cheating technologies including rigged shuffling machines, poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and special contact lenses that could read pre-marked cards.

Billups allegedly served as a "face card" in the operation, using his celebrity status to lure victims into rigged poker games. The indictment details how Billups participated in a rigged game in Las Vegas in April 2019 that defrauded victims of at least $50,000. Following another manipulated game in October 2020, Billups reportedly received $50,000 for his participation.

Legal Consequences and NBA Response

Both Billups and Rozier face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The NBA has placed both individuals on immediate leave from their teams, with the league stating that "the integrity of our game remains our top priority."

Billups appeared before a judge in Portland, Oregon, and was ordered released with substantial conditions including surrendering his passport and restrictions on travel. Rozier appeared in federal court in Orlando, Florida, where he was released after putting up his Florida home as bond and similarly surrendering his passport.

Broader Investigation Scope

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that the investigations spanned 11 states and resulted in 34 total arrests. The cases involve four Mafia families—Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese—with authorities describing the scale of fraud as "mind-boggling." Since April 2019, victims have lost at least $7 million in the rigged poker games alone, with one individual losing $1.8 million.

The investigation also connects to the earlier betting scandal involving former Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA in 2024 and is awaiting sentencing. Two conspirators from the Porter case were also named in the poker indictment unsealed Thursday.

Defense Responses and Next Steps

Both defendants have maintained their innocence through their legal representatives. Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, stated that his client "is not a gambler" and "looks forward to winning this fight." Billups' attorney, Chris Heywood, argued that the coach would never "risk his hall-of-fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom" for a card game.

Billups is scheduled to appear at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on November 24, while Rozier's next court appearance is set for December 8. The NBA has appointed Trail Blazers assistant Tiago Splitter as interim head coach while the legal proceedings unfold.

The cases represent a significant challenge to the NBA's integrity protocols at a time when sports betting has become increasingly legalized across the United States. As federal authorities continue their investigations, the basketball world awaits further developments in what could become one of the most consequential sports gambling cases in recent history.