FBI Busts NBA-Mafia Gambling Ring, Arrests Over 30 Including Players, Coach

A major FBI investigation has led to the arrest of over 30 individuals, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, for their involvement in expansive illegal gambling operations linked to Mafia families. Billups faces charges related to conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games, while Rozier is accused of using insider information to win NBA game bets. The probe exposes vulnerabilities in the booming legal sports betting industry, which generated $13.7 billion in 2024, and has cast a shadow over the NBA as its season begins. Prominent NBA figures and analysts on ESPN's "Inside the NBA" expressed shock and condemnation, highlighting gambling addiction and the personal risks involved. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of the fraud and refuted claims that the investigation was politically motivated. The NBA is currently reviewing the indictments as the fallout continues to unfold.