NBA Gambling Arrests Stun League, Expose Mafia Links: What to Know
A massive gambling scandal has rocked the National Basketball Association (NBA), leading to the arrests of 34 individuals — including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones. Federal authorities say the arrests stem from two wide-ranging indictments that expose deep links between professional basketball figures and New York’s organised crime families. The FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York described the scheme as a “multi-million-dollar cheating conspiracy” involving both illegal sports betting and poker fraud. The scandal comes just as the NBA celebrated the start of a new season and the signing of an $76 billion broadcast deal over 11 years, adding to the shockwaves reverberating through the sport. The Sports Betting SchemeAccording to prosecutors, Terry Rozier and others exploited insider knowledge about player injuries and game absences to place strategic bets on NBA outcomes. The indictment outlines seven games between 2023 and 2024 where hundreds of thousands of dollars were wagered illegally. Authorities allege Rozier used confidential player information — often obtained through personal relationships — to ensure bets would pay off. Interim US Attorney Joseph Nocella said the defendants “misused their access and friendships within the league to corrupt the integrity of professional basketball.” Rozier’s lawyer, however, denies all allegations, insisting his client will contest the charges in court. The Poker-Cheating OperationThe second indictment details a high-stakes poker ring tied to New York’s powerful mafia groups — including the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese crime families. Prosecutors claim games were rigged using X-ray poker tables and fake shuffling machines, allowing participants to cheat unsuspecting victims out of more than $7 million. Chauncey Billups was allegedly used as a “face card,” or celebrity lure, to attract wealthy players to the fraudulent poker games. Former player Damon Jones is accused of both supplying insider betting information and helping coordinate poker events. Organised Crime LinksAuthorities say the operation was backed by members of La Cosa Nostra — the long-established Italian-American mafia network. Thirteen associates of the Five Families have also been charged for roles in extortion, money laundering, and facilitating the games. Who’s Involved? Chauncey Billups: Accused of serving as a public draw for the poker ring and participating in multiple games. Terry Rozier: Allegedly provided injury and lineup details for betting schemes. Damon Jones: Accused of insider information leaks and acting as a recruiter for poker games. Fallout for the NBAThe revelations have sparked widespread outrage among fans and players, raising questions about the NBA’s integrity and its handling of sports betting partnerships. League officials have not yet issued formal statements, though sources say internal investigations are underway. The scandal marks one of the most damaging moments in modern US sports history — intertwining professional basketball, organised crime, and gambling in a case that federal agents say “reads like a Hollywood screenplay — but with real victims, real money, and real consequences.”