What we know about arrests in FBI's illegal gambling investigation

October 23, 2025

US authorities have announced multiple arrests in a major investigation into illegal sports betting, including NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier. The FBI disclosed two separate indictments: one involving athletes manipulating their gameplay to influence betting outcomes, and another concerning an organized crime-linked poker ring that defrauded victims of millions of dollars using sophisticated technology and former athletes as bait. The schemes, spanning 11 states over several years, allegedly generated tens of millions in illicit profits and involved multiple New York crime families.

Who is affected

NBA players and coaches, specifically Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones
Victims of the rigged poker games who were defrauded of millions of dollars
Four of the five major New York crime families (Bonanno, Genovese, Gambino, and implied involvement of either Colombo or Lucchese)
The National Basketball Association, which must address integrity concerns
Sports betting platforms where manipulated wagers were placed
Fans and the general public whose trust in professional sports is potentially damaged

What action is being taken

The FBI and US authorities are prosecuting the 34 defendants indicted in the two fraud cases
The NBA is placing Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups "on immediate leave" from their teams
The NBA is reviewing the federal indictments and cooperating with authorities
Authorities are preparing for court proceedings, with defendants expected to be arraigned in a Brooklyn court
Law enforcement is actively investigating illegal gambling operations that span multiple locations including the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Miami, and Manhattan

Why it matters

The schemes involved tens of millions of dollars in theft and robbery across several years and 11 states
The integrity of professional sports, particularly the NBA, is being compromised by players allegedly manipulating their performance for betting purposes
Organized crime families continue to operate sophisticated illegal gambling operations despite previous major mob takedowns in the 1990s
The involvement of professional athletes in gambling schemes potentially undermines public trust in sports
The cases demonstrate the intersection of professional sports, organized crime, and modern gambling technologies

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article, although the defendants are due to appear in court later on Thursday and are expected to be arraigned in a Brooklyn court at a later date.

Read full article from source: BBC