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 were named by federal prosecutors in two separate indictments on Thursday.
Rozier, 31, is among six people arrested over alleged betting irregularities, including NBA players accused of faking injuries to influence gambling markets.
Billups, a Hall of Fame player who has coached the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021, is one of 31 people charged in a separate illegal poker game case involving retired players and the mafia.
That case, which prosecutors said involved four of the five major crime families in New York, uncovered an alleged scheme to lure victims into playing rigged poker games alongside high-profile sports stars before stealing millions of dollars.
Using technology including special contact lenses and glasses that could read pre-marked cards, authorities described the operation as one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes.
The NBA said in a statement that Rozier and Billups were placed on immediate leave while reviewing the federal indictments, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations to maintain the integrity of the game.
Rozier's legal representation has denied the allegations, claiming that his client will fight the accusations vigorously. Rozier has posted bail after his arrest, while Billups is expected to arrange a bail bond as well.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrests as part of a coordinated takedown across 11 states, linking the investigation to tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent activities.
The investigation highlighted several NBA games between February 2023 and March 2024 that were allegedly manipulated, with specific mention of Rozier's involvement in dubious betting practices.
The second indictment involved accusations against 31 defendants linked to a scheme rigging poker games and stealing millions under threats of intimidation by organized crime families.
As the investigation continues, officials are warning that this might just be the tip of the iceberg regarding illegal gambling activities and their connections to major sports personalities.
