NBA Rocked by Federal Gambling Scandal: Billups and Rozier Arrested in Mafia-Linked Schemes

In a stunning blow to the NBA just two days into the 2025-26 season, federal authorities on October 23 arrested Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier as part of sweeping indictments uncovering illegal gambling operations tied to organized crime. The charges, unsealed in Brooklyn federal court, involve more than 30 defendants and expose two intertwined schemes: insider sports betting on NBA games and rigged underground poker games allegedly backed by New York Mafia families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese clans.

The Poker Rigging Plot: Billups as a “Face Card”

Billups, a Hall of Fame player and five-time All-Star who has coached the Trail Blazers since 2021, faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in the poker scheme. Prosecutors allege that Mafia members organized high-stakes underground games in New York and Florida, using advanced technology like rigged shuffling machines to cheat players out of at least $7 million. To attract wealthy “marks”—dubbed “fish” in gambling slang—organizers recruited celebrity NBA figures as “face cards” to lend legitimacy.

Billups, arrested at his Portland home, was reportedly paid to participate and draw in victims starstruck by his presence alongside former player Damon Jones, a LeBron James confidant charged in both cases. A 2019 text from alleged ringleader Robert Stroud bragged about a victim’s awe: “That one guy on the end acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money! He was star struck!” The operation involved violence, including a gunpoint robbery for a rigging device and extortion over debts, according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.

NEW: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says the NBA game-rigging mafia-linked scandal uncovered by the FBI is President Trump’s revenge, says this is only the beginning.

“Don’t be surprised that the WNBA is next on his list.”

“Because when you’ve got all of these protests that have been… pic.twitter.com/MkoqBStaKi

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 23, 2025

Insider Betting Scandal: Rozier’s Prop Bet Manipulation

In a parallel case described as “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes” since legalized betting’s rise, Rozier is accused of leaking confidential information to bettors, enabling over $250,000 in illicit wagers. The 11-year NBA veteran, who signed with Miami in 2024 after stints with Boston, Charlotte, and Phoenix, allegedly manipulated prop bets on his own performance. In one instance from March 2023, while with the Hornets, Rozier exited a game early and tipped off co-conspirators, who bet heavily on his “under” totals for points, rebounds, and assists—netting around $200,000.

The scheme exploited insider intel from five NBA teams, involving active and former players. Jontay Porter, a former Raptors forward banned for life by the league in 2024, had already pleaded guilty to related wire fraud. Jones is also implicated here, accused of sharing LeBron James’ injury status ahead of a 2023 Lakers game, which bettors used to place $100,000 in wagers. Rozier, arrested at an Orlando hotel, faces wire fraud and money laundering charges; his attorney called the case a “revived non-case,” insisting Rozier is no gambler.

NBA’s Swift Response and Broader Implications

The league acted decisively, placing Billups and Rozier on immediate leave pending review and pledging full cooperation with investigators. “We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the NBA stated, emphasizing its ongoing partnership with authorities. Both men are scheduled for federal court appearances Thursday—Billups in Portland, Rozier in Orlando.

This scandal, spanning years and incorporating crypto laundering and extortion, highlights vulnerabilities in the post-PASPA era of widespread sports betting. As the FBI under Director Kash Patel vows aggressive pursuit of athlete-linked corruption, the arrests serve as a stark reminder of gambling’s dark underbelly in professional sports. For fans, the question lingers: How deep does this go, and what safeguards will the NBA implement next?