NBA Players and Coaches Arrested in Massive Gambling and Betting Scandal

The NBA has been rocked by a scandal involving two of its players, Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier, who were arrested along with more than 30 others in a takedown of two sprawling gambling operations. The operations, backed by Mafia families, allegedly leaked inside information about NBA athletes and rigged poker games, cheating unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7 million. The scandal raises concerns about the integrity of the game and the potential for exploitation by organized crime.

Key Takeaways:

• Chauncey Billups, a former NBA player and current coach, was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games tied to La Cosa Nostra organized crime families that cheated unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7 million.
• Terry Rozier, a current NBA player, was accused in a separate scheme of about 20 players to win bets on NBA games by accessing private information from NBA players or coaches and giving that information to others so they could place wagers.
• Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on leave from their teams, and the NBA has said it is cooperating with authorities to investigate the scandal.
• The scandal involved a sophisticated cheating operation that used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses, and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards.
• The operation also involved sharing a portion of the proceeds with Mafia families, which required them to commit violent acts, including assault, extortion, and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation.
• The NBA had investigated Rozier previously, but he was not cleared of any wrongdoing.
• The scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of the game and the potential for exploitation by organized crime.

Statistics:

• At least $7 million was allegedly cheated from unsuspecting gamblers in the rigged poker game scheme.
• 30+ individuals were arrested in the takedown, including 2 NBA players and a former NBA assistant coach.
• 20+ players were allegedly involved in the scheme to win bets on NBA games.
• The operation used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses, and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards.
• The operation was backed by Mafia families, which required them to commit violent acts, including assault, extortion, and robbery.

Sources:

• Joseph Nocella, top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York
• Reuters (AP)
• Portland Trail Blazers
• Miami Heat
• NBA
• The Associated Press (AP)
• AP News Agency (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)