Shocking: NBA players and coaches arrested by FBI for illegal gambling backed by mafia

The FBI has arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier along with more than 30 others for allegedly rigging sports betting and poker games backed by mafia families.

Terry Rozier (left) is accused of participating in a conspiracy to manipulate match results - Photo: REUTERS

Chauncey Billups, a former Hall of Fame player and current coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was arrested in connection with a mafia-backed gambling ring.

Meanwhile, Miami Heat star Terry Rozier was accused of participating in a conspiracy to manipulate game results by exploiting inside information about NBA athletes.

FBI Director Kash Patel said at a recent press conference: "Today (October 23), we are here in New York to announce a historic arrest of a widespread criminal organization. This is an illegal gambling and sports fraud operation that has lasted for many years."

US federal prosecutors have announced two indictments and arrested more than 30 individuals in multiple states as part of an investigation into sports fraud and illegal gambling operations linked to the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime families.

The indictments announced in New York cast a huge dark cloud over the NBA, with prosecutor Joseph Nocella calling it "one of the most blatant sports corruption schemes since online sports betting was widely legalized in the United States."

"My message to the defendants arrested today is that your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out," he added.

After the incident, the NBA said it had removed Billups and Rozier from the league and was willing to cooperate with authorities. The NBA said in a statement: "We take these allegations very seriously. And the integrity of the game remains our top priority."

Rozier has earned $160 million in his career and is in the final year of a four-year, $96 million contract with the Miami Heat.

Billups was a five-time NBA All-Star and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He retired in 2014 and became the head coach of Portland in 2021.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/rung-dong-cau-thu-va-hlv-o-nba-bi-fbi-bat-giu-vi-co-bac-bat-hop-phap-do-mafia-hau-thuan-20251024031651241.htm