NBA Rocked By FBI Probe Into Illegal Betting And Mafia-Linked Poker Games
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
Background
The NBA is facing one of the most serious integrity scandals in its history after two of its most recognizable figures — Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups — were charged in separate federal investigations tied to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games allegedly connected to organized crime.
The dual indictments, detail two parallel schemes that have sent shockwaves through professional basketball.
Sports betting in basketball can compromise the integrity of the game by creating opportunities for players, referees, or insiders to influence outcomes for financial gain. It also undermines fan trust, turning competition into a potential vehicle for manipulation rather than genuine athletic performance.
Rozier Accused in Betting Irregularities
According to the Department of Justice, Rozier, 31, was among six people accused of manipulating betting outcomes by faking injuries or altering their on-court performance to influence gambling markets. Prosecutors allege that some players coordinated with outside bettors to profit from the fluctuations their absences or limited play caused.
Rozier, who appeared in federal court in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, has denied all wrongdoing. His attorney told CBS News that the Miami Heat guard “is not a gambler” and plans to fight the charges vigorously. Rozier was released on bail after putting up his $6 million Florida home as collateral.
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
Billups Linked to Rigged Poker Network
In a separate indictment, Chauncey Billups, the former All-Star player and current Trail Blazers coach, is among 31 defendants accused of participating in a rigged underground poker circuit run by mafia associates. Prosecutors claim that the games were deliberately stacked against wealthy participants, using sophisticated cheating technology — including contact lenses that read marked cards and even an X-ray-enabled poker table — to swindle millions.
The FBI alleges the operation involved members of four of New York’s five major crime families. The Five Families of New York City—the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo organizations—remain active but significantly reduced from their historical peak. Once powerful players in industries such as construction, shipping, and labor unions, their influence has lessened following decades of federal prosecutions, internal disputes, and broader economic changes. Today, they maintain a presence in various parts of the city and surrounding areas, continuing to engage in activities like gambling, loan-sharking, and extortion, though on a smaller and more discreet scale. While law enforcement pressure and social shifts have curbed their reach, the Five Families still represent a lasting structure within organized crime in modern New York.
Billups was arrested in Portland and released on bond after a brief court appearance. His lawyer described the accusations as “baseless,” adding that Billups “will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that defined his Hall of Fame career.”
A League Under Scrutiny
In a statement, the NBA said it had placed both Rozier and Billups on immediate administrative leave, emphasizing that the integrity of the game remains its “top priority.”
The cases come amid growing concerns about the intersection of professional sports and legalized gambling, as leagues increasingly embrace betting partnerships while facing heightened risks of corruption.
If convicted, Rozier and Billups could face lengthy prison sentences and lifetime bans from the NBA — a sobering reminder that the line between competition and corruption can be perilously thin.
