NBA Gambling Scandal Rocks League: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Among 34 Charged in Mafia-Linked Betting Ring

What Happened

On October 23, 2025, the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York unsealed indictments against 34 defendants, alleging a multi-state criminal network that included NBA players, coaches, and members of New York Mafia families.

Two intertwined operations are at the center of the probe:

- Operation Royal Flush — a rigged high-stakes poker network using marked cards, X-ray tables, and special contact lenses.

- Operation Nothing But Bet — an insider betting scheme that exploited confidential team information to gain an edge on legal sportsbooks.

Who’s Involved

- Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers head coach, is accused of participating in the poker-rigging operation and leaking internal lineup information.

- Terry Rozier, Miami Heat guard, faces charges for sharing injury updates and insider intel for betting purposes.

- Damon Jones, former NBA player, is also implicated in the rigged poker ring.

- Federal prosecutors say all three maintained financial ties with known members of the Gambino and Genovese crime families.

How It Worked

The schemes allegedly ran parallel:

- Rigged Poker Games: Hidden shufflers, contact lenses that revealed pre-marked cards, and “Face Card” athletes were used to attract wealthy opponents. Some victims reportedly lost over $7 million.

- Insider Bets: Leaked information about player injuries and tanking strategies — including one specific March 2023 Trail Blazers game — allegedly fueled coordinated prop bets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Legal Charges

The indictments include:

- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

- Money laundering

- Illegal gambling operation

- Racketeering (RICO) — due to Mafia connections

If convicted, defendants face potential prison terms of 5 to 20 years and forfeiture of earnings from the illegal bets.

Why It Matters

This is the NBA’s biggest integrity crisis since the Tim Donaghy referee scandal.

- Legalized sports betting has blurred the line between entertainment and manipulation.

- Organized crime’s infiltration shows how lucrative and vulnerable player data and insider info have become.

- The league now faces pressure to tighten disclosure rules, audit insider communications, and review its partnerships with betting platforms.

NBA’s Response

The NBA has suspended all personnel named pending investigation. Commissioner Adam Silver stated the league is “fully cooperating with federal authorities” and will “enforce lifetime bans if allegations are proven.”

Teams are reportedly reviewing communication logs, betting patterns, and internal data access.

The Bigger Picture

This case could reshape how all U.S. sports handle gambling oversight — from prop-bet limits to injury report transparency.

Legal experts warn that the scandal may invite new federal regulations or even prompt Congress to revisit the 2018 Sports Betting Act that opened the door for nationwide wagering.

What’s Next

Arraignments are expected in New York next week. Prosecutors plan to unseal additional evidence linking defendants to organized crime families.

Meanwhile, the league braces for potential suspensions, lawsuits, and another blow to public trust.