NBA's Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier among over 30 arrested in federal gambling probe

WASHINGTON, DC: Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among the more than 30 people arrested on Thursday, October 23, in a sweeping federal crackdown on illegal gambling, fraud, and organized crime, authorities announced.

The FBI said the arrests stem from two intertwined federal indictments, one centered on a sports-betting fraud scheme and the other tied to a gambling operation allegedly backed by several of New York’s most notorious organised crime families.

FBI says the illegal gambling and sports rigging 'spanned years' 

FBI Director Kash Patel said that arrests were made across 11 states.

“This is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned the course of years,” he said.

“The fraud is mind-boggling,” Patel added, describing losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars through wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, and illegal betting.

US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr said the group used high-tech cheating technology to manipulate underground poker games backed by five families that have long ruled organized crime in the New York area.

In the second case, dubbed 'Operation Royal Flush,' prosecutors reportedly accused more than 30 defendants of a plot to rig underground poker games. 

NBA figures named in fraudulent betting

Among those arrested were Rozier, Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones, who once played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The FBI said that the players were allegedly part of a ring involved in fraudulent NBA betting, dubbed 'Operation Nothing But Net'.

Rozier, 31, who joined the Heat in 2024 from the Charlotte Hornets, was reportedly arrested early Thursday in Orlando, Florida. 

He is expected to appear in the Orlando federal court later in the day.

It was not immediately clear where Billups was detained, but he is reportedly scheduled to be arraigned in Portland, where he resides and coaches the Trail Blazers.

Billups' career and recent scrutiny

Chauncey Billups, 49, a five-time NBA All-Star and NBA Finals MVP, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. 

Nicknamed Mr Big Shot, he was celebrated for leading the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 championship before later moving into coaching.

He has served as Portland’s head coach since 2021, following stints as an ESPN analyst and assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Law enforcement’s interest in Billups comes just months after former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was indicted for allegedly running high-stakes illegal poker games in Los Angeles.

NBA faces scrutiny over repeated gambling scandals

The arrests come as the NBA faces growing scrutiny over betting-related misconduct.

In 2024, former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned for life after admitting to betting on league games and sharing insider information. 

He later pleaded guilty in federal court and awaits sentencing in December.

Officials said that Thursday’s arrests mark one of the largest organized crime-linked gambling busts in decades, and that additional charges may follow as investigations continue.

Reacting to the arrest, Rozier’s attorney Jim Trusty said that the arrest was unnecessary.

“It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self surrender they opted for a photo op,” Trusty said.

“They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk,” he added.

He also said that Rozier had been cleared by the NBA and insisted that his client “is not a gambler” but “looks forward to winning this fight.”

Attorneys for Billups and the teams involved did not immediately respond to requests for comment.