NBA Players and Mafia Linked in Major Illegal Gambling Bust

Sat Oct 25 2025 17:37:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A vast FBI investigation has led to the arrest of multiple NBA players, including Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups, in connection with illegal gambling operations and rigged poker games involving organized crime.

In a sweeping crackdown on illegal sports betting, the FBI has arrested numerous individuals, including NBA stars Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups, as part of an investigation into corruption and rigged poker games linked to mafia operations. Both players deny the allegations, which include manipulating games to influence gambling markets.

An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged, mafia-linked poker games.

Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named by federal prosecutors in two separate indictments on Thursday. Both men deny the allegations.

Rozier, 31, is among six people arrested over alleged betting irregularities, including NBA players accused of faking injuries to influence gambling markets. Billups, a Hall of Fame player turned coach, is one of 31 people charged in a separate illegal poker game case involving retired players and the mafia.

This case, which prosecutors said involved four of the five major crime families in New York, uncovered a scheme to lure victims into playing rigged poker games alongside high-profile sports stars before stealing millions of dollars.

They are accused of using technology, such as special contact lenses and glasses that could read pre-marked cards, to facilitate the scams. The NBA said in a statement that Rozier and Billups were placed on immediate leave as it reviews the federal indictments.

In court, Rozier's lawyer denied the allegations, emphasizing his client's innocence and the lack of concrete evidence. Rozier used his $6 million home as collateral for his release after appearing in federal court in Orlando, Florida. Billups is expected to post a substantial bond for his release.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the indictments, describing the arrests as part of a coordinated takedown across 11 states and warned about the extent of the fraud involved.

Prosecutors indicated that several NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 are now under scrutiny for manipulative betting practices. Rozier is alleged to have influenced one game by notifying a friend to bet against him performing, resulting in significant gambling profits.

The second indictment involves 31 individuals linked to a scheme to rig poker games and steal millions, with ties to major mafia families. Victims were reportedly lured into these games, where they lost substantial sums, further emphasizing the severity of the current investigation.

As the FBI continues to investigate, the implications for the NBA and its integrity remain significant, with many awaiting the outcome of the ongoing legal battles.

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