The NBA was rocked by a betting scandal exposé on Thursday when a head coach and participant have been arrested as a part of a federal investigation into unlawful sports activities betting backed by mafia.
Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Warmth participant Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones have been among the many 34 individuals arrested in reference to this case.
Billups, Basketball Corridor of Famer, was arrested in Oregon, a day after the Path Blazers misplaced their season opener to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 49-year-old Billups has coached the workforce since 2021. Rozier didn’t play within the Warmth’s season opener on the highway towards Orlando Magic due to a hamstring damage. He was taken into custody at his resort in Orlando.
Right here is all you might want to know concerning the case thus far:
What are the instances within the investigation?
Within the first case, six defendants are accused of taking part in an insider sports activities betting conspiracy that exploited confidential details about NBA athletes and groups, stated Joseph Nocella, the U.S. legal professional for the Japanese District of New York.
The second case entails 31 defendants in a nationwide scheme to rig unlawful poker video games. The defendants embody former skilled athletes accused of utilizing know-how to steal hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in underground poker video games within the New York space that have been backed by mafia households.
What are the allegations towards Billups and Rozier?
Each Billups and Rozier face expenses of cash laundering and wire fraud conspiracy.
Billups has been charged with taking part in a conspiracy to repair high-stakes card video games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons that have been backed by La Cosa Nostra Crime households.
Rozier has been accused in a second scheme to concoct fraudulent bets by exploiting confidential details about NBA athletes and groups. Jones is charged with taking part in each schemes.
When did Terry Rozier commit the offence?
An investigation into Terry Rozier has been underway since March 23, 2023, when he was enjoying for the Charlotte Hornets. A betting firm flagged irregular wagers after Rozier left a recreation simply 10 minutes in, citing a foot damage. In keeping with the indictment, Rozier knowledgeable associates prematurely that he would exit early, resulting in greater than $200,000 being wagered on his early departure, with a portion of the winnings allegedly directed to him.
Who has led this investigation?
The investigation is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the case introduced by the U.S. legal professional’s workplace in Brooklyn, which beforehand prosecuted former NBA participant Jontay Porter for related offences.
What has the NBA stated on the difficulty?
“We’re within the means of reviewing the federal indictments introduced at present. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being positioned on fast depart from their groups, and we’ll proceed to cooperate with the related authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our recreation stays our high precedence,” the league stated.
What is going to occur to Billups and Rozier after this?
Billups is ready to seem in court docket in Portland and Rozier in Florida. Each will probably be arraigned in New York at a later date.
(With inputs from AP and Reuters)
Revealed on Oct 24, 2025