In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested on October 23, 2025, as part of a sweeping FBI crackdown on illegal sports betting and mafia-linked rigged poker games. The operation, described by federal authorities as one of the most brazen sports corruption scandals since the legalization of online sports betting, also led to the arrests of more than 30 other individuals, including former NBA players and reputed organized crime figures.
The two high-profile NBA figures now face serious charges, including money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. According to federal indictments unsealed Thursday, Rozier, 31, is among six people accused of exploiting private insider information to manipulate betting markets, while Billups is one of 31 defendants charged in a separate case involving rigged underground poker games allegedly backed by New York's notorious mafia families.
FBI Director Kash Patel, flanked by U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. and other top prosecutors, announced the coordinated takedown at a press conference in Brooklyn. "We're talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation," Patel stated, calling the arrests "extraordinary" and emphasizing the operation's reach across 11 states. Nocella added, "My message to the defendants who’ve been rounded up today is this: Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out."
The investigation, which authorities say has been ongoing for four years, uncovered a complex sports betting scheme involving at least seven NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024. Prosecutors allege that Rozier and others used confidential information—such as details about player injuries or game plans—unavailable to the public to influence bets placed on major gambling platforms. One of the most scrutinized incidents involved a matchup on March 23, 2023, between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. At the time playing for the Hornets, Rozier reportedly told associates he would exit the game early due to a supposed injury. He left after just nine minutes, finishing with five points, four rebounds, and two assists—well below his usual output. Bets placed on his underperformance allegedly netted tens of thousands of dollars in profits for those in the know.
Jessica Tisch, New York's Police Commissioner, highlighted the gravity of the allegations: "As the NBA season tips off, his career is already benched, not for injury but for integrity." The indictment also references nine unnamed co-conspirators, including other NBA players and coaches, who allegedly provided or acted on insider information for personal gain.
Rozier's legal team has come out swinging in his defense. His lawyer, James Trusty, told CBS News, "Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight." Trusty further criticized the prosecution, stating, "Prosecutors appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case." Rozier appeared in federal court in Orlando on Thursday and was released on bail after putting up his Florida home, valued at $6 million, as collateral.
Meanwhile, Chauncey Billups, a Hall of Fame player and head coach of the Trail Blazers since 2021, faces charges in a separate indictment tied to an elaborate illegal poker ring. The scheme, prosecutors allege, involved retired athletes and members of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families. Victims were lured to high-stakes poker games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan, and the Hamptons, only to be fleeced out of millions using sophisticated cheating technology. Authorities detailed the use of special contact lenses and glasses to read pre-marked cards, as well as X-ray tables and altered shuffling machines. One victim reportedly lost $1.8 million in a single session, and the total losses are estimated at $7 million.
Billups' attorney, Chris Heywood, issued a robust denial: "He will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in court." Billups was arrested in Portland and arraigned Thursday, with a substantial bond for his release expected soon. The NBA responded swiftly, placing both Rozier and Billups on immediate leave pending a full review of the indictments. "We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority," the league said in a statement.
The scandal has not only rocked the NBA but has also ignited a political firestorm. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith stoked controversy on his show 'First Take' by suggesting the investigation was politically motivated and orchestrated by former President Donald Trump. Smith remarked, "For me, this is the latest nugget of evidence. That's not to question the legitimacy of the case, we don't know. But anybody that has been around him, anybody that has talked to him and seen his reactions, from the sports leagues... they are not surprised at what's going on today." His comments sparked immediate backlash on social media, with many pointing out that the investigation predated Trump’s second term and was not politically driven.
Viewers were quick to challenge Smith’s assertions, noting the multi-year scope of the FBI probe. One social media user commented, "The issue with this take is that they literally said this is an investigation that started and has been spanning 4 years. So this started well before Trump." Another added, "The FBI director showed up because this is a huge mob-related arrest. The FBI always shows up." The political debate has only added fuel to an already combustible situation, as the NBA grapples with the fallout from a scandal that threatens the integrity of the sport at its highest level.
The broader context of the case is impossible to ignore. Since the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting in 2018, the industry has exploded, with major leagues and media companies partnering with gambling firms to capitalize on the billion-dollar market. However, this growth has come with increased scrutiny and risk, as the line between legitimate betting and illicit activity blurs.
As the dust settles, both Rozier and Billups maintain their innocence, vowing to fight the charges in court. The NBA, for its part, has signaled zero tolerance for corruption, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and cooperation with law enforcement. The investigation continues, with authorities warning that more arrests could be on the horizon.
For now, the basketball world holds its breath, awaiting the next chapter in a saga that has already rewritten the playbook on sports integrity scandals. The fate of two of the NBA’s most prominent figures—and perhaps the league’s reputation itself—hangs in the balance.
