NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. authorities have arrested multiple individuals, including NBA star Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, in connection with a massive illegal sports betting and gambling investigation tied to organized crime.
The FBI confirmed on Thursday that 34 defendants have been indicted in two separate cases—one involving NBA players accused of manipulating games for betting profit, and another tied to an illegal poker ring operated by New York’s mafia crime families.
Operation “Nothing But Bet”
The first case, dubbed Operation Nothing But Bet, accuses several NBA players and associates of using insider information to influence betting outcomes.
Authorities allege that players intentionally faked injuries or altered their performance to affect odds on major sports betting platforms.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the allegations “mind-boggling,” while New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, “Players deliberately influenced games for financial gain — this is corruption at the heart of professional sports.”
Six individuals, including Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, were charged in this case. Officials allege Rozier informed associates of his plan to leave a game early due to a fake injury in March 2023, allowing them to profit from fraudulent bets.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also named, accused of participating in two games under investigation.
Authorities have identified seven NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 believed to be compromised, involving teams such as the Lakers, Hornets, Raptors, and Trail Blazers.
Illegal Poker Ring and Mafia Ties
The second case centers on a multimillion-dollar poker and money-laundering operation allegedly involving 31 defendants, including Chauncey Billups, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
The scheme allegedly involved members of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families, who rigged poker games using marked cards, special contact lenses, and X-ray tables to identify winning hands.
Victims were lured into high-stakes games with former professional athletes who acted as “face cards,” unaware that the entire setup was fixed.
Authorities say the organization laundered profits through wire transfers and cryptocurrency, and in some cases resorted to violence, extortion, and armed robbery.
Federal Charges and NBA Response
The defendants face a range of charges, including wire fraud, bank fraud, extortion, illegal gambling, and money laundering, with potential prison sentences of up to 30 years.
In a statement, the NBA said it is reviewing the indictments and cooperating fully with federal authorities. Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on immediate leave from their teams.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness. The integrity of our game is our top priority,” the league said.
The FBI investigation, ongoing since 2019, has uncovered links to four of New York’s five major mafia families, a reminder that the La Cosa Nostra network remains active in modern organized crime.
