In a sweeping federal crackdown announced Thursday, more than 30 individuals have been indicted in connection with two extensive illegal gambling operations, one of which allegedly involved prominent NBA figures and members of organized crime families.
Federal authorities revealed that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones were among those arrested in relation to the investigation. The charges stem from a multi-year probe into fraudulent sports betting and rigged poker games, both allegedly orchestrated with the backing of notorious mafia families, including the Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese syndicates.
According to Christopher Raia, assistant director of the FBI’s New York field office, three of the indicted individuals were allegedly involved in both the sports betting and poker fraud schemes.
Details of the Scheme
The investigation uncovered sophisticated methods used to manipulate high-stakes poker games, including chip tray analyzers and X-ray-enabled tables that can read face-down cards. These technological tools were reportedly deployed to deceive players and siphon hundreds of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
The sports betting aspect of the case allegedly involved NBA insiders who may have influenced game outcomes or shared privileged information. Rozier and Jones are believed to have played roles in the betting ring, while Billups is accused of helping lure victims into the poker scheme.
Arrests and Further Charges
The FBI, in coordination with Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies, executed arrests across 11 states, marking one of the most significant gambling-related takedowns in recent years.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with further charges possible as authorities continue to unravel the complex web of criminal activity. All three NBA-affiliated individuals have been placed on administrative leave pending further legal proceedings.
Sports Betting In The USA
As of 2025, domestic sports betting is permitted in 38 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with 30 states authorizing online sportsbook operations. Despite varying state-level regulations, residents across all U.S. states can access legal online sports betting through offshore platforms that accept users who are of legal gambling age.
Several states with legalized gambling have taken enforcement actions against prominent offshore sportsbooks for targeting their residents. In recent years, multiple jurisdictions have issued cease-and-desist orders to these operators. However, many of these platforms have not complied, citing their operations outside U.S. borders and beyond the reach of state regulatory authority.