Billups, Rozier Arrested in FBI Gambling Probe

Federal authorities arrested more than 30 people Thursday, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, in coordinated, years-long FBI probes into an alleged insider sports-betting ring and Mafia‑backed rigged poker games. Prosecutors say the sports‑betting indictment alleges NBA insiders provided nonpublic information for prop bets and accuse Rozier of tipping partners that he would leave a March 23, 2023 game early so wagers on his “under” would pay off; the poker case accuses Billups of helping lure victims into games that used fraudulent shuffling machines, barcode decks and hidden cameras to steal millions. DOJ officials described the operation as tied to La Cosa Nostra, with arrests in 11 states and charges including wire fraud, money laundering and extortion, and alleged ill‑gotten gains in the tens of millions. The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on immediate leave and said it will cooperate with authorities, while teams and defense lawyers have publicly disputed aspects of the arrests. The investigation is ongoing, prosecutors said more arrests or charges could emerge, and both men are expected to appear in federal court on serious felony allegations.