NBA Stars Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Arrested in Gambling Investigation
On Thursday, federal prosecutors announced two significant indictments related to an illegal betting scheme involving the NBA. Notable figures implicated include Chauncey Billups, current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Terry Rozier, a player for the Miami Heat. This case marks a serious development in the ongoing gambling investigations within professional sports.
Key Figures in the Indictments
The indictments unveil the engagement of several players and associates in fraudulent betting practices:
- Chauncey Billups: Former Clippers player and current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Terry Rozier: Current player for the Miami Heat.
- Damon Jones: Retired NBA player and acquaintance of LeBron James.
Allegations Against Players
Prosecutors claim that these individuals exploited confidential inside information regarding player absences and injuries to facilitate illegal sports betting. The investigations revealed the manipulation of betting practices concerning several NBA teams, including:
- Toronto Raptors
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
The indictments indicate that the scheme operated from December 2022 to March 2024. Inside information was allegedly used to defraud bettors significantly.
Details of the Betting Scheme
Prosecutors outlined how Jones provided tips about players sitting out and allegedly used his connection with LeBron James to gain valuable insights. For instance, he purportedly informed associates about a player known as “Player 3” sitting out a game. Interestingly, the investigation suggests that miscommunication regarding player injuries led to substantial financial losses for some bettors.
Rozier, referred to colloquially as “Scary Terry,” was accused of leaking information about game withdrawals to benefit conspirators financially. The betting practices involved high-stakes wagers, with some sources indicating that over $100,000 was bet against the Trail Blazers using insider information.
Illegal Poker Games
In a separate indictment, Billups and Jones are accused of orchestrating rigged poker games with ties to New York’s Mafia families. These illicit games attracted wealthy players and involved sophisticated cheating methods, including:
- Use of rigged shuffling machines
- Poker chips that could read cards secretly
- Glasses capable of detecting markings on playing cards
Federal authorities estimate that these cheating operations accumulated over $7 million between April 2019 and October 2023.
NBA’s Response and Future Implications
In light of these serious allegations, the NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on immediate leave. The league emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness,” stated a league spokesperson.
The investigation, which also scrutinizes various states for illegal gambling operations, has sparked broader concerns about the influence of gambling in sports. El-Balad will continue to monitor these developing stories as they unfold.
