NBA Head Coach and Multiple Players Among 30-Plus People Arrested in Alleged Gambling Scheme Connected to the Mafia
The NBA is facing one of its biggest scandals in recent memory, as several high-profile names — including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones — were reportedly among 31 individuals arrested on Thursday, October 23, in connection to an illegal sports gambling ring tied to organized crime. The revelation has sent shockwaves across the basketball world, shaking the league’s foundation and raising urgent questions about integrity, money, and influence within professional sports.
According to law enforcement officials, the arrests followed a months-long investigation involving federal agencies and organized crime task forces. Authorities allege that the operation laundered millions of dollars through offshore betting accounts, with participants placing illegal wagers on NBA games and other professional sports. The network is believed to have links to an established Mafia organization, with investigators describing it as “one of the most elaborate sports betting schemes ever uncovered involving active and retired athletes.”
Chauncey Billups, who has been the head coach of the Trail Blazers since 2021, was taken into custody early Thursday morning at his Portland home, according to sources close to the case. Reports indicate that his alleged role involved facilitating bets through third-party contacts and receiving payouts disguised as consulting fees. Billups has not yet made a public statement, but his attorney has reportedly denied all wrongdoing, stating that his client “was unaware of the criminal nature of the operation and had no direct involvement in any illegal activity.”
Terry Rozier, currently a guard for the Miami Heat, was also named among the accused. Investigators claim Rozier used encrypted messaging platforms to communicate with betting intermediaries and may have acted as a recruiter for other athletes interested in “safe insider wagers.” The allegations have not been proven, and the NBA has yet to issue an official statement regarding disciplinary action.
Former Cavaliers player Damon Jones, now a coach and media personality, is also under investigation for allegedly serving as a middleman between the players and offshore gambling brokers. Authorities suggest Jones played a key role in organizing bets that generated large cash flows outside official league oversight.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that search warrants were executed in multiple states, including Florida, Oregon, Nevada, and New York. Federal agents reportedly seized computers, cell phones, and financial records that may provide evidence of a coordinated effort to manipulate betting lines and insider information. Officials emphasized that the probe is ongoing, with more arrests possible in the coming weeks.
As the story develops, the NBA faces intense public scrutiny. League insiders say Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to hold an emergency meeting with team owners to address the scandal. The NBA has long prided itself on transparency and has publicly embraced partnerships with legal sports betting platforms in recent years, making the allegations particularly damaging. “This threatens the credibility of the game,” one former league executive told People. “If proven true, it could force major structural changes in how betting relationships are monitored.”
Fans, meanwhile, have reacted with disbelief and disappointment on social media. Many expressed shock that respected figures like Billups — a former Finals MVP known for his leadership — could be involved in such a serious case. Others questioned whether the rise of sports gambling partnerships between leagues and betting companies has blurred ethical boundaries, tempting athletes and coaches to push legal and moral limits.
The accused are expected to appear in federal court early next week, where prosecutors will present preliminary evidence outlining the scope of the operation. If convicted, the defendants could face charges ranging from wire fraud and money laundering to racketeering and illegal gambling, carrying potential prison sentences of up to 20 years.
The NBA’s response in the coming days will likely determine how deep the damage runs. For now, the arrests have cast a dark shadow over the league, leaving fans and officials alike to grapple with the uneasy question: how much of the game was real, and how much was rigged by greed?
