NBA Rocked by Gambling and Mafia Allegations: Billups, Rozier Among Those Arrested
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A sweeping federal investigation has ensnared prominent NBA figures, including Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Heat guard Terry Rozier, in a scandal involving rigged poker games with alleged ties to the Sicilian Cosa Nostra mafia and a sophisticated sports betting scheme. The allegations, revealed during a press conference in New York, have prompted immediate suspensions from the NBA and raise serious questions about the integrity of professional basketball.
The FBI estimates the total damage from these illicit activities to be in the “tens of millions of dollars,” according to FBI boss Kash Patel.
Poker Scheme Linked to Organized Crime
The investigation initially focused on a complex poker operation dating back to 2019, utilizing “technological cheating” to defraud opponents. Federal prosecutors detailed the use of advanced tools, including specialized lenses and glasses capable of reading invisible markings on cards, X-ray technology to identify face-down cards, and manipulated card-shuffling machines. “The defendants defrauded the victims of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per game,” a senior official stated.
Billups, the 2004 NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, is accused of “alleged participation” in this national network. He and approximately thirty others appeared in court Thursday, were released on bond, and are scheduled for further hearings on November 24 and December 8 in New York.
Sports Betting Scandal Extends to Multiple Teams
The investigation expanded to uncover a separate, equally concerning scheme involving insider information used for illegal sports betting. This operation allegedly targeted the individual performances of players on the Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors between late 2022 and early 2024.
According to a New York police official, bets were strategically placed “on the fact that players were going to score fewer points, take fewer rebounds, make fewer assists using information not yet public.” A particularly egregious example involved Terry Rozier, while playing for the Charlotte Hornets on March 23, 2023, informing associates of his intention to leave a game early due to a suspected injury. This information led to over $200,000 in bets on his underperforming statistics, resulting in “tens of thousands of dollars in profit” for those in the know.
LeBron James’ Trainer Implicated
Adding another layer of complexity, Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach with close ties to LeBron James, is reportedly involved in both the poker and sports betting schemes. Jones, who served as a personal trainer for James and had privileged access to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2023 and January 2024, allegedly disclosed internal team information – including starting lineups and injury reports – prior to games. According to reports from The Athletic, Jones was not an official employee of the Lakers franchise.
NBA Response and Previous Investigation
The NBA swiftly responded to the allegations, immediately suspending both Billups and Rozier. The league stated it is taking “these allegations with the utmost seriousness.” Interestingly, the NBA investigated “unusual bets” linked to Rozier as early as January 2025, but at the time, found “no violation of the regulations.” The league has fully cooperated with federal investigators, authorities confirmed Thursday.
This case echoes the lifetime ban handed down to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter in 2024 for his involvement in a similar sports betting manipulation scheme. Porter is also facing potential criminal charges.
Rozier, through a statement released by his lawyer, James Trusty, maintained his innocence, asserting, “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid to fight and he is eager to win this fight.”
The unfolding investigation promises to have far-reaching consequences for the NBA and raises critical questions about safeguarding the integrity of the game in the era of legalized sports betting.
© 2025 AFP
