Federal prosecutors have charged more than 30 people in an expansive gambling and betting scandal involving the NBA. This included basketball stars, a head coach, and New York mob figures. The plot reportedly spanned Las Vegas, New York, and even The Hamptons.
The accusations involved rigged poker games, insider sports bets, and advanced cheating tools.
The Betting Scandal Resulted From Collaborations
According to legal documents, prosecutors named two high-profile basketball figures in the indictment. These are Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. It should be noted, both men deny any wrongdoing.
According to prosecutors, Rozier was among six people accused of manipulating betting outcomes by leaking information. He allegedly faked an injury during a game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans back in March 2023. His early exit allowed associates to win thousands of dollars on wagers that predicted Rozier would underperform.
Billups, meanwhile, faces charges connected to a mafia-linked poker ring that allegedly lured wealthy victims into rigged games alongside professional athletes. Authorities say the scheme involved four of New York’s five prominent crime families and resulted in millions of dollars in ill-gotten profits.
Authorities Revealed The Misuse Of Advanced Technology
Authorities described the NBA scandal as one of the most intricate gambling networks ever uncovered. Participants allegedly used contact lenses, infrared tables, and modified shuffling machines to cheat opponents. All of these happened in high-stakes poker matches in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons.
According to BBC News, federal investigators said victims were “fleeced” out of more than $7 million. One person lost as much as $1.8 million. When some players refused to pay, prosecutors said mob affiliates resorted to intimidation and extortion to collect debts.
The FBI carried out arrests across 11 states, followed by an investigation into the alleged organized sports betting and illegal gaming practice. The security outlet worked alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Aftermath Of The NBA Gambling Scandal
The immediate butterfly effect following the arrests showed the NBA taking action against the accused people. Confirming its action, the NBA shared that it has placed Rozier and Billups on leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness,” the league said in a statement.
Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Speaking to CBS News, Trusy said, “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.” Billups’ lawyer said the coach “will fight these allegations with the same determination that defined his career.”
Officials referred to the indictment as only the tip of the iceberg, pointing out the possibility that they could carry out more arrests as the NBA gambling scandal investigation intensifies. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella addressed the public in a news conference, speaking directly to the accused, saying, “Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out. Violating the law is a losing proposition, and you can bet on that.”
While the investigation continues, the scandal has cast a light on illegal betting. Also, this is not the first time the NBA has faced such controversies. Four months before these arrests, another basketball star, Gilbert Arenas, was apprehended for his involvement in helping to operate illegal high-stakes poker games. Arenas allegedly carried out the illegal operation from his home in Los Angeles.
