NBA Coach Chauncey Billups and Player Terry Rozier Are Arrested in a Serious Gambling Scandal Associated With the Mafia

A player and an NBA coach are accused of participating in widespread Mafia-affiliated gambling schemes that involve rigged poker games and insider betting.

Along with over 30 other people, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat forward Terry Rozier were taken into custody on Thursday as part of a massive federal investigation on two massive gambling businesses that were reportedly connected to Mafia organizations. Authorities claim that insider NBA knowledge and rigged poker games were used in the schemes, which duped victims out of millions.

After allegedly defrauding gullible gamblers of over $7 million, Billups was charged with conspiracy to manipulate high-stakes poker games connected to La Cosa Nostra crime organizations. Rozier, on the other hand, is accused of using confidential player data to his advantage while placing bets.

Unsealed in New York, the two distinct indictments have significantly impacted the NBA’s first week of play. The Eastern District of New York’s US Attorney, Joseph Nocella, called it “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the United States.”

Nocella stated, “I want to convey to the defendants who were rounded up today that your winning streak is over.” “You are no longer lucky.”

The charges against Billups and Rozier include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also indicted with involvement in both activities.

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, described the fraud as “mind-boggling.” “We are discussing tens of millions of dollars in theft, robbery, and fraud over the course of a multi-year investigation.”

Prosecutors claim that sophisticated technology, including concealed cameras, X-ray equipment integrated into tables, and modified card shuffling devices, was used to rig the poker games. The Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino families received a portion of the profits from these games, which were purportedly linked to illicit businesses operated by New York crime gangs.

Rozier and others are charged with disclosing private information regarding athletes’ availability in order to manipulate bets in the sports betting conspiracy. In one 2023 game, Rozier told colleagues he would leave early because of a “foot injury,” according to the prosecution, which allowed gamblers to benefit tens of thousands of dollars on prop bets.

Both men have been placed on leave, according to the NBA. The league released a statement saying, “We take these allegations very seriously, and maintaining the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”

Billups was granted a conditional parole after appearing in court in Oregon. Chris Heywood, his lawyer, praised him as “a man of integrity.” If Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is charging him of, he would be jeopardizing his freedom, reputation, and Hall of Fame legacy. “He wouldn’t risk those things for anything, much less a game of cards,” Heywood stated.

Rozier showed up in a Florida federal court while shackled and sporting a Charlotte Hornets sweater. The client “is not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight,” according to his attorney, Jim Trusty. Additionally, he attacked officials for preventing a voluntary surrender, saying they were doing it for “the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk.”

Over the course of the multi-year inquiry, anonymous NBA players whose injury statuses were exploited for betting reasons were also found. These athletes, who include Damian Lillard, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, are not charged with any crimes.

Extortion, robbery, and violent enforcement of gambling debts are among the other allegations against several of the individuals with ties to the Mafia, according to authorities. In federal court in Brooklyn, the majority entered not guilty pleas at arraignments.

In the current era of legalized sports betting, the incident represents one of the biggest dangers to the NBA’s reputation, highlighting the weaknesses of a quickly growing sector already valued at billions.