The National Basketball Association (NBA) is facing a major scandal as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested several high-profile figures over alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations.
Those arrested include Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, former player and coach Damon Jones, and Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups. The arrests stem from two separate but related investigations that federal authorities say expose a network of insider betting and organised gaming fraud.
According to federal prosecutors, Rozier and Jones allegedly shared confidential player information—including injury reports—with gamblers who placed high-stakes bets based on that data. In one instance, Rozier reportedly informed an associate he would exit a game early due to injury, leading to a lucrative prop bet that allegedly netted hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Prosecutors also claim Jones leaked the injury status of NBA star LeBron James ahead of a February 2023 matchup. Federal officials say wagers were placed on teams including the Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors—though one official mistakenly referred to the Raptors as the “Toronto Rangers” during a press briefing.
In a separate case, investigators allege that Billups and Jones were involved in a mafia-linked underground poker ring that used “celebrity bait” to attract wealthy victims. The games were reportedly rigged using X-ray table scanners, concealed cameras, and shuffler machines transmitting card information to accomplices. Some participants allegedly wore special contact lenses and glasses to read pre-marked cards.
The FBI said more than 30 suspects were arrested across 11 states, with estimated losses running into tens of millions of dollars. “This was organised deception on a national scale,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
In response, the NBA announced that Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave pending further investigation. The league, which maintains commercial partnerships with FanDuel and DraftKings, has yet to comment on potential policy implications.
Rozier’s legal team dismissed the charges as a “publicity stunt,” vowing to contest them in court. Jones and Billups have not issued public statements.
The scandal casts a shadow over the start of the NBA’s new season and raises fresh questions about the league’s growing ties with the sports betting industry.
