This week, the FBI launched a big investigation into illegal gambling tied to the Mafia, and it’s sending shockwaves through the NBA.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier are among more than 30 people arrested in 11 states. They face serious charges like wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, and illegal gambling. This case is raising big questions about corruption in professional basketball.
The FBI’s operation, called “Operation Nothing But Bet” and “Operation Royal Flush,” focuses on two main scams. The first involves using secret insider info about NBA players and teams to place illegal bets, which gave the people involved an unfair edge. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said it’s one of the boldest sports corruption schemes since sports betting went legal in many US states.
Terry Rozier was arrested in Orlando early Thursday. His lawyer said the FBI arrested him in a way that seemed more for show and didn’t give him a chance to turn himself in calmly. Rozier’s team also said the NBA previously cleared him, and they believe he’s innocent. But now, federal prosecutors are pushing the case forward.
The second part, “Operation Royal Flush,” exposes a cheating scheme in underground poker games linked to Mafia families. The suspects used high-tech gadgets like hidden cameras in poker chip trays, special contact lenses to read marked cards, and even an X-ray table to cheat and steal millions.
Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones were charged in this cheating poker scheme. Billups was set to appear in court in Portland, where he coaches, just after coaching a game the night before his arrest. Jones was arrested in Las Vegas.
Billups and Rozier were immediately put on leave by the NBA. The league said it takes these charges seriously and wants to protect the integrity of basketball. The arrests have deepened concerns about gambling’s impact on pro sports and its link to organized crime.
Billups is a basketball legend, known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch plays. He led the Detroit Pistons to an NBA title and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024. Rozier is a solid NBA guard with a 10-year career and is seen as trouble-free off the court. His lawyer stands by his innocence.
This isn’t the first illegal gambling problem in the NBA. Earlier this year, Gilbert Arenas, another former player, faced charges for illegal poker games. Active players have also been investigated; Jontay Porter pleaded guilty to illegal betting in 2024 and got banned for life.
This FBI crackdown is the biggest yet, showing how organized crime is involved not just in sports betting but also in cheating at underground poker games using advanced tech.
The FBI’s strong action sends a clear message: cheating and illegal gambling won’t be tolerated in sports. The NBA might tighten its rules and enforcement to stop this. Fans and players will be watching closely as these cases play out in court.
Meanwhile, Billups, Rozier, and others face tough legal fights that could change how the NBA handles gambling and player conduct in the future. This whole situation reminds us how money, sports, and crime can dangerously overlap and why fair play must be protected.