When it comes to professional sports, gambling has always been a high-stakes issue. While betting on games has become more mainstream and regulated in recent years, illegal sports wagering still lurks in the shadows, threatening the integrity of the game and the trust of fans. The federal government’s latest crackdown exposes how some inside the sport may have played a role in manipulating outcomes or sharing insider information to profit from bets placed outside legal channels. This sprawling probe has led to several significant arrests connected to the FBI’s investigation of these illicit schemes, shining a spotlight on the complicated relationship between professional basketball and gambling.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups (NASDAQ: BLP) and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were both arrested Thursday morning in separate but related cases linked to illegal sports betting and gambling operations. Billups faces charges connected to an illicit high-stakes poker ring tied to organized crime figures. His arrest took place in Oregon following the team’s recent season opener. Rozier was arrested in Orlando, Florida, while the Heat were playing against the Orlando Magic; he was inactive for the game due to a coaching decision.
Rozier’s alleged connection traces back to suspicious wagering activity during a March 23, 2023 NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Betting outlets across multiple states observed an unusual surge in “under” bets for his points, rebounds, and assists, leading sportsbooks to suspend wagering on his performance. Although the NBA conducted an investigation last year and found no violations, federal authorities have since reopened the case as part of a broader examination.
The federal inquiry has unveiled two distinct criminal cases. Rozier is among six individuals charged in an illegal sports betting ring involving current and former NBA players, some of whom allegedly faked injuries or manipulated performance to benefit bettors. Billups is charged among 31 people accused of participating in a high-stakes poker operation run by organized crime, which reportedly involved sports figures including coaches.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested in connection with the investigation, demonstrating the probe’s wide reach. The ongoing investigation follows earlier scandals such as the lifetime ban of former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, who pled guilty last year to conspiracy charges related to manipulating games to profit illegal bookmakers.
The implications for the NBA are profound, casting new doubts over the integrity of the game and raising questions about the league’s ability to police illicit activity amid growing legalized sports betting. Though the league has yet to formally respond, internal reviews of policies and player conduct monitoring are likely underway. Meanwhile, the sports betting industry faces continued challenges deterring illegal wagering schemes that undermine fair competition.
A federal press conference today provided further details on the charges and arrests. The investigation underscores ongoing federal efforts to dismantle entrenched illegal gambling operations that threaten both professional sports and their millions of fans. Rozier, Billups, and others caught in the probe serve as reminders of the fine line professional sports must walk in an era of expanding betting markets, where the stakes are higher than ever.
