The basketball world has been rocked by a major scandal after a federal indictment revealed that current and former NBA players, including a Hall of Fame coach, were allegedly tied to mob-linked gambling rings. Unsealed court documents reveal two interconnected criminal networks involving illegal poker operations, sports betting manipulation and financial fraud totaling tens of millions of dollars. The FBI and NYPD Joint Organized Crime Task Force coordinated a multi-year investigation that has now resulted in more than 30 arrests — including several high-profile NBA figures accused of using insider access for profit and protection.
NBA players and coaches named in investigation
Among the most prominent figures arrested was Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. According to investigators, Billups was allegedly involved in an underground poker ring connected to organized crime families where games were to be fixed in exchange for payouts and influence.Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also arrested in connection with a separate but related illegal sports betting ring. Authorities say Rozier engaged in insider betting, allegedly sharing or using confidential game information to gain an advantage in bets.Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, was arrested along with Billups for his alleged role in the same poker operation. Both were charged with conspiracy, fraud and gambling.The three names mark the NBA’s most significant connection in what investigators describe as a “multi-layered criminal enterprise” combining professional sports, organized crime and financial fraud.
How Mafia-linked schemes worked
According to federal prosecutors, the operations operated in two layers: an underground poker ring frequented by professional athletes and an illegal sports betting network that allegedly misused internal NBA data. Mafia intermediaries allegedly financed, protected and profited from both schemes. The investigation revealed the use of offshore betting accounts, money laundering channels and encrypted communication applications to conceal transactions.The FBI described the schemes as “sophisticated but deeply damaging to the integrity of the sport”, suggesting that some games may have been influenced by betting activity, although no direct evidence of match-fixing has yet been made public.
What the authorities say
At a press conference in Brooklyn, FBI Director Kash Patel described the scale of the operation as “staggering” and noted that “tens of millions of dollars” were laundered through the network. Federal agents said the charges were the culmination of years of surveillance and financial surveillance, aided by the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.Prosecutors stressed that while the investigation is still ongoing, more arrests could follow as evidence is reviewed. “This case shows that even elite athletes and coaches are not beyond the reach of organized crime when greed meets attitude,” Patel said.
Broader implications for the NBA
The scandal reignited long-standing concerns about the influence of gambling on professional sports, especially after the legalization of sports betting in much of the United States. NBA officials have yet to issue a formal disciplinary response, but confirmed they are cooperating fully with federal authorities.Sports law experts say the case could prompt tighter oversight of the league, mandatory disclosure of financial information and stricter betting regulations for players and employees. It also raises uncomfortable questions about athletes’ vulnerability to the culture of high-stakes gambling – which is increasingly intertwined with mainstream entertainment and sponsorship.
What’s next?
The defendants, including Billups, Rozier and Jones, are scheduled to appear in federal court in the coming weeks. If convicted, they could face substantial fines, suspensions and potential prison terms depending on the severity of their charges.
