In a major development shaking the NBA, federal authorities have arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. The indictments allege that insiders used non-public information, including LeBron James’ injury status, to manipulate bets, marking one of the most significant corruption cases in modern sports history.
The federal investigation, which involved the FBI and spanned 11 states, unsealed two indictments on Thursday targeting 34 individuals. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. described the scheme as “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized,” with bets placed on games involving multiple NBA teams based on insider knowledge. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the scale, calling the fraud “mind-boggling” and comparing it to insider trading in financial markets.
At the heart of the sports betting allegations is Damon Jones, a retired NBA player who served as an unofficial coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Jones, who had a close relationship with LeBron James, is accused of exploiting his access to confidential injury reports. For instance, before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023, Jones texted a co-conspirator to “get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight” because James was sitting out with ankle soreness, information not yet public. James has not been accused of any wrongdoing and was unaware of the scheme, according to sources close to him.
Similarly, Terry Rozier, while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, allegedly conspired to remove himself early from games under the guise of injury. In a March 2023 contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier played only nine minutes before exiting, allowing bettors to win prop bets on his statistical unders. The indictment claims Rozier coordinated with childhood friends to profit from these schemes, with wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. In another game, he allegedly provided tips on Trail Blazers players sitting out to aid betting against the team.
The scandal extends beyond sports betting to a separate indictment involving rigged poker games backed by New York’s Mafia families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese clans. Billups and Jones are accused of using their celebrity status to attract wealthy players to games where sophisticated cheating technologies, such as rigged shuffling machines and marked cards, were used to defraud victims of over $7 million. Authorities detailed how these games employed hidden cameras and special lenses to read cards, with the Mafia enforcing debt collection through extortion and violence.
In response, the NBA has placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave, and the league issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to integrity. Both individuals have been released on bail with conditions including surrender of passports and prohibitions on gambling. Their attorneys have vehemently denied the allegations, with Billups’ lawyer stating he would not risk his Hall-of-Fame legacy for such activities, while Rozier’s legal team asserts his innocence and anticipates a favorable outcome in court.
This case underscores the vulnerabilities in sports integrity amid the rapid expansion of legalized betting, following previous scandals like the Jontay Porter incident. It highlights the need for enhanced monitoring, player education, and regulatory oversight to protect the game’s credibility. As legal proceedings continue, with court dates set for November and December, the outcomes could shape future enforcement and policies in the sports betting industry, potentially leading to stricter safeguards against insider exploitation.