The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a joint operation across 11 states, arresting over 30 suspects involved in gambling manipulation, including active NBA players, coaches, and members of organized crime families, sparking one of the most severe gambling scandals in modern NBA history. Arrestees include Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former player and coach Damon Jones. The charges involve using insider information to manipulate prop bets and connections with mafia-related poker scams. The NBA has suspended the involved parties for review, emphasizing that the fairness of the games is a top priority. This incident has reignited debates over the impact of legalized sports betting, with several lawmakers calling for enhanced regulatory legislation.
Investigation Actions and Involved Parties
The FBI, through "Operation True Picture" and "Operation Net," arrested over 30 suspects in 11 states, including active NBA players, coaches, and organized crime members. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former player and coach Damon Jones were all charged. The investigation revealed that the suspects used non-public information such as player injuries and playing time to inform criminal associates, who then placed bets of hundreds of thousands of dollars and laundered money through cryptocurrencies. Court documents indicate that multiple NBA games were suspected of being manipulated, including a 2023 game between the Hornets and the Pelicans.
Manipulation Techniques and Specific Cases
The charges state that players and coaches provided insider information to criminal groups, such as Rozier being accused of revealing his withdrawal due to injury in advance, triggering a $200,000 bet and profiting tens of thousands; Trail Blazers player absence information was leaked, leading associates to place a $100,000 bet and win a "huge bonus." The case also involves games of the Lakers, Magic, and Raptors, with former Lakers assistant coach Jones accused of leaking medical information, Raptors forward Jotae Porter admitting to telecommunications fraud and being permanently banned from playing. Another charge involves Billups and others participating in mafia-supported manipulated poker games, cheating millions of dollars and laundering money to cryptocurrencies and offshore accounts.
Reactions and Subsequent Impact
The NBA immediately suspended Rozier and Billups for review, with the league stating that "the fairness of the games is the primary task." The Trail Blazers appointed an assistant coach to take over temporarily, and the Heat were handled by the league. Rozier's lawyer criticized the FBI's handling of the case, stating that an independent NBA investigation found no violations; Billups was released on bail but had to surrender his passport. The incident has drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers, who criticize the excessive penetration of sports betting into games and call for federal legislation to regulate. Betting operator DraftKings stated it would enhance monitoring of suspicious activities and cooperation. The FBI claimed that through secret sources, over 3000 communications were recorded, providing solid evidence, and the prosecutor stated, "Illegal activities will ultimately fail."
