Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
In a sweeping FBI operation on Thursday, numerous individuals were detained, including NBA player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers' head coach, Chauncey Billups, due to involvement in illegal sports betting and alleged mafia-associated poker rigging. Both Rozier and Billups have firmly denied all accusations.
The 31-year-old Rozier is among a group of six suspected of manipulating NBA game bets. Prosecutors allege that some players feigned injuries to sway gambling activities. In one incident, Rozier reportedly exited a game prematurely because of a claimed foot injury, leading associates to gain profits exceeding $200,000 from bets. His attorney asserts that Rozier is innocent.
Chauncey Billups, a prominent figure in the NBA and current coach of the Trail Blazers, is also implicated as one of 31 charged in a separate indictment concerning illegal poker operations. This scheme reportedly involved New York mafia families utilizing advanced technology to rig games, employing techniques like special contact lenses, modified glasses, and an X-ray table for card reading. Allegedly, victims suffered losses in the millions.
The NBA announced that both Rozier and Billups are on immediate leave as the league investigates the federal charges. A league spokesperson reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining integrity in the sport. Rozier has been released on bail against his Florida residence, while Billups is expected to secure a significant bond following his court appearance in Portland.
Seven NBA matches occurring between February 2023 and March 2024 are reportedly under investigation. Rozier's actions are said to have impacted a game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, where he scored merely five points before exiting after nine minutes, a stark contrast to his average of 21 points per game before this incident. This alleged conspiracy raises serious concerns over the integrity of sports betting.
Moreover, a second indictment charges 31 defendants with manipulating poker games involving former athletes. Prosecutors claim that 13 members from prominent New York crime families were engaged. Victims were drawn into high-stakes games held in various locations including Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan, and the Hamptons, where they were reportedly cheated out of millions. Intimidation tactics were allegedly employed to ensure payment compliance.
Rozier's lawyer stressed that the case lacks substantial evidence and criticized the reliability of the sources. Similarly, Billups' attorney has rejected the charges and pledged to contest them vigorously. FBI officials described the arrests as part of a coordinated investigation spanning 11 states targeting extensive fraud and theft operations.
Following a Supreme Court ruling in 2018, sports betting has been legalized across the U.S. and has rapidly expanded, involving significant leagues and media partnerships. Authorities regard the Rozier case as one of the most egregious instances of sports corruption following the legalization of online wagering.
Defendants are facing various charges including robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling. The alleged poker scheme reportedly defrauded victims of $7 million, with one individual claiming a loss of $1.8 million. FBI officials have indicated that this is merely the “tip of the iceberg” and committed to combating mafia interference in illegal gambling.
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