Over 30 Arrested in NBA Gambling Scandal Involving Players and Mafia Ties

NBA coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested alongside over 30 others in a federal probe into illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to organized crime, with allegations including using inside information to influence player prop bets. Rozier was accused of informing bettors about his intention to leave a game early, enabling wagers based on his reduced playtime, while Billups was implicated in poker games employing cheating technology like X-ray tables and special contact lenses. The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on immediate leave and is cooperating with authorities, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the priority of maintaining the sport's integrity. Experts note this scandal highlights the troubling intersection between sports betting, active athletes, and organized crime, with FBI officials describing it as an insider trading saga for the NBA. The ongoing investigations also signal broader concerns, as the FBI continues probing a related college basketball point-shaving case. The scandal underscores the damaging impact of sports betting on players, with some facing harassment and threats linked to gambling interests.