US authorities announced multiple arrests on Thursday in a sweeping investigation into illegal sports betting, including the detention of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier. Both were reportedly arrested following their teams’ games on Wednesday, multiple outlets have reported.
The FBI revealed that the crackdown involves two major indictments: one targeting players allegedly faking injuries to manipulate betting odds, and another tied to an illegal poker ring linked to organized crime.
Allegations of faking injuries and rigged poker games
FBI Director Kash Patel described the cases as “mind-boggling,” with both involving large-scale fraud.
The first case, dubbed Operation Nothing But Bet, alleges that players and their associates used insider information to influence wagers on major sports betting platforms. In some instances, athletes intentionally altered their performance or exited games early to ensure bets paid off, reportedly generating tens of thousands of dollars in profits, NBC News reports.
The second case centers on an illegal poker operation involving four of New York’s five major crime families and professional athletes. Authorities claim the group used advanced technology, including shuffling machines, special contact lenses, glasses to read pre-marked cards, and an X-ray table to cheat players unaware of the scheme.
According to a damning BBC News report, victims were allegedly lured to games by former professional athletes, who acted as “face cards,” while the accused stole millions through the poker operation. The investigation, which began in 2019, spans multiple locations, including the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Miami, and Manhattan. Alleged crimes also included extortion and armed robbery, with funds laundered via bank wires and cryptocurrency.
NBA figures arrested and games under investigation
A total of 34 defendants were indicted across both cases. Six were charged in the player injury-scheme, including Terry Rozier. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Rozier allegedly signaled in March 2023 (while with the Charlotte Hornets) that he would leave a game early due to injury, allowing others to place fraudulent bets.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested for allegedly participating in two games tied to the scheme. Authorities identified seven NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 involved in the case:
- Feb. 9, 2023 – Lakers vs. Bucks
- Mar. 23, 2023 – Hornets vs. Pelicans
- Mar. 24, 2023 – Trail Blazers vs. Bulls
- Apr. 6, 2023 – Magic vs. Cavaliers
- Jan. 15, 2024 – Lakers vs. Thunder
- Jan. 26, 2024 – Raptors vs. Clippers
- Mar. 20, 2024 – Raptors vs. Kings
The illegal poker case includes 31 defendants, among them Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups. Thirteen members and associates of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families are also charged. Three defendants face indictments in both cases.
In response to the arrests, the NBA issued a statement confirming that it is reviewing federal indictments and cooperating with authorities. Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave from their teams.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said.
Understanding New York’s ‘five families’ of organized crime
Authorities say the poker scheme involved four of New York’s notorious Five Families: Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, and Genovese. These groups, part of the broader American-Sicilian mafia known as La Cosa Nostra (“this thing of ours”), have been influential in organized crime since 1931.
Although major law enforcement actions in the 1990s reduced mafia power in New York, the indictments demonstrate that these criminal networks remain active. Criminology expert Anna Sergi has described New York as a “gym” where mafia members are trained and hardened, often maintaining close ties with Sicilian counterparts.