Head coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers on July 21, 2025 in Portland, Oregon and Terry Rozier on December 29, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Billups and Rozier were arrested separately on October 23, 2025, as part of a federal investigation into an illegal gambling probe.
In a shocking turn for professional basketball, more than 30 individuals, including NBA players and coaches, were charged Thursday in connection with two federal gambling investigations. The cases involve allegations of wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, and unlawful gambling, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Among those charged are Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Authorities said the schemes linked organized crime to professional sports betting and poker fraud.
Insider Betting in the NBA
Officials revealed one of the schemes involved insider sports betting. NBA players allegedly shared confidential information about their expected performance with criminal associates. These associates then used straw bettors to place multiple wagers based on that insider knowledge.
Terry Rozier reportedly informed associates in March 2023 that he would leave a game early due to a supposed injury. Criminal partners used this tip to profit when Rozier failed to meet his projected stats. “This is the insider trading saga for the NBA,” said Patel during a press briefing in Brooklyn.
Rozier, 31, is in his 11th NBA season and has averaged 13.9 points per game. The unusual betting activity drew scrutiny after sportsbooks noticed abnormal wagers on a March 2023 game. Rozier left the court after nine minutes, citing an injury. He was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon.
Rigged Poker Games and Organized Crime
In a separate case, Chauncey Billups, 49, was charged with helping to rig poker games nationwide. The scheme targeted unsuspecting players who were lured with promises of playing against celebrities. Investigators said the operation used sophisticated technology, including fraudulent card shufflers and x-ray tables.
Several New York-based organized crime families reportedly took cuts of the profits, enforced debts through extortion and robbery, and laundered proceeds using cryptocurrency. Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, is in his fifth year as Portland’s head coach. He was expected to appear in court later Thursday in Portland.
Legal Defense and Reactions
Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, defended his client, saying prosecutors “appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence.” Trusty added that Rozier had been cleared by the NBA, and the current case revives what he called a “non-case.”
Gambling Concerns in Professional Sports
The indictments highlight ongoing concerns about gambling in North American professional sports. In recent years, players across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL have faced penalties related to wagering.
A related case involved former NBA player Jontay Porter, who was banned for life and pleaded guilty in 2024. Authorities accused him of manipulating his performance to benefit associates’ bets. That case appears linked to Thursday’s indictments.
A High-Profile Case With Wide Implications
The dual investigations are among the most high-profile gambling-related cases in professional sports. With top players and coaches implicated, the legal and reputational consequences could ripple through the NBA and beyond.
Officials emphasized that the cases spanned several years and generated tens of millions of dollars in illegal profits. FBI Director Patel vowed to continue cracking down on schemes that exploit professional sports for unlawful gain.
The investigations underscore the blurred line between sports and gambling in modern professional leagues. Fans, players, and teams now face increased scrutiny as authorities pursue accountability and transparency.
