NBA Gambling Scandal: Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Arrested in Mafia-Linked Betting and Poker Scheme
Federal investigators expose a massive Mafia-backed gambling network involving NBA insiders, underground poker games, and multimillion-dollar fraud.
NEW YORK —The NBA is once again facing a major integrity crisis after Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones were arrested Thursday in connection with illegal sports betting and rigged poker games allegedly backed by the Mafia.
According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., the arrests are part of two sweeping federal investigations that have uncovered tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent gambling activity spanning 11 states and involving four Mafia families.
“The fraud is mind-boggling,” said FBI Director Kash Patel, calling it one of the most brazen corruption schemes since the legalization of online sports betting in the U.S.
The NBA’s Response and Immediate Suspensions
Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on immediate leave from their teams, the NBA confirmed in a statement, stressing that the “integrity of the game remains our top priority.”
The Trail Blazers said assistant coach Tiago Splitter will serve as interim head coach while Billups’ case unfolds. The Miami Heat also acknowledged Rozier’s suspension, saying the organization is “fully cooperating with investigators.”
Illegal Betting Scheme: Insider NBA Information Used for Profit
According to the indictment, Rozier participated in a sports betting ring that used nonpublic NBA information to place wagers on at least seven games between March 2023 and March 2024, including matchups involving the Hornets, Lakers, and Trail Blazers.
In several games, players intentionally removed themselves early from play to manipulate prop bets. In one cited incident, Rozier allegedly told a friend he would leave a 2023 game early with a “fake injury,” leading to hundreds of thousands in successful wagers on his “under” performance bets.
Rozier allegedly shared profits from these bets with intermediaries, including Deniro Laster, who reportedly collected over $100,000 in proceeds from the scheme.
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Chauncey Billups and the Rigged Poker Game Network
Separate from the betting charges, Chauncey Billups was arrested for his alleged role in an underground poker ring tied to organized crime. The indictment claims that Billups was a “face card” in the scheme — using his celebrity status to attract wealthy players to rigged poker games equipped with hidden cameras, X-ray tables, and marked cards.
Authorities allege that victims lost over $7 million since 2019, including one player who was defrauded of $1.8 million in a single game. Billups is accused of accepting $50,000 in wired payments after one of these events.
The poker network reportedly involved the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese crime families. Victims who lost were then allegedly extorted or threatened to ensure payment, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
“Victims believed they were sitting at a fair table,” Tisch said. “Instead, they were cheated out of millions.”
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How the FBI Connected the Cases of NBA Gambling
Investigators say the basketball betting and poker schemes are interlinked, sharing overlapping defendants and financial transactions. Former Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones, a close associate of LeBron James, allegedly provided insider injury information to gamblers before key games.
In one example, Jones texted a coconspirator to “get a big bet on Milwaukee” before a Lakers-Bucks game when LeBron James was ruled out — information not yet made public.
James, through a spokesperson, denied any knowledge of the scheme and is not accused of wrongdoing.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Both Billups and Rozier have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, with initial court appearances scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Oregon and Florida respectively.
Prosecutors have requested “substantial bail conditions” citing Billups’ “significant financial resources.”
Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate additional NBA and college betting links, with sources confirming that further indictments may follow.
NBA Integrity Under Fire
The arrests follow the 2024 Jontay Porter betting scandal, where the former Raptors center admitted to manipulating his performance for profit. Porter’s case reportedly helped uncover the broader network that led to Thursday’s arrests.
Experts warn this could be the largest sports corruption scandal in modern NBA history, with potential long-term consequences for how the league monitors player and staff betting activities.
“This is a watershed moment,” said analyst David Marconi. “If these allegations hold, it could change the NBA’s entire approach to gambling oversight.”
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