Major Crackdown: NBA Stars and Mafia Arrested in Illegal Gambling Scandal

Sat Oct 25 2025 20:57:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A significant FBI operation leads to the arrests of NBA players and mafia associates in connection with illegal sports betting and rigged poker games, raising serious concerns about integrity in professional sports.

Federal authorities have arrested several individuals, including NBA player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, as part of a large-scale investigation into illegal gambling activities involving mafia connections and rigged poker games. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about corruption within sports betting, particularly involving manipulation of game outcomes.

Major Crackdown: NBA Stars and Mafia Arrested in Illegal Gambling Scandal

3 hours agoMallory Moench

An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged, mafia-linked poker games. Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups are central figures in two separate indictments unveiled on Thursday.

Rozier, 31, is one of six people arrested for alleged betting irregularities. According to federal prosecutors, these include players accused of faking injuries to influence betting markets. Billups, a Hall of Fame player, faces charges in a separate case linked to illegal poker games involving retired athletes and mafia members.

The poker case is reported to involve four out of five major crime families in New York, where players allegedly used advanced technology—such as contact lenses that read marked cards and X-ray tables—to manipulate games and steal millions from unsuspecting participants.

The NBA responded to these allegations firmly, placing both Rozier and Billups on immediate leave while conducting its own review. The integrity of the sport is deemed paramount by league officials.

During a news conference, FBI Director Kash Patel described the investigation as extraordinary, emphasizing a coordinated effort that spanned across 11 states and significantly impacted the sports betting landscape. The authorities are working diligently to ensure that corrupt practices are not tolerated and that justice is served.