A sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling and fraud has rocked the basketball world, implicating prominent NBA players, coaches, and notorious members of New York’s Five Families mafia. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups are among 34 people arrested in connection with two separate but intertwined schemes, which authorities say involved tens of millions of dollars in illegal wagers, poker games, and fraud.

Allegations: NBA Players and Mafia-Linked Gambling Schemes

FBI Director Kash Patel described the allegations as “mind-boggling.” Officials say the investigation centers on two major schemes:

1. Operation Nothing But Bet – NBA players and associates allegedly used insider information to manipulate wagers on sports betting platforms. Some players reportedly altered their performance or exited games early to ensure bets paid out. Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier is accused of sharing inside information while with the Charlotte Hornets, enabling others to place fraudulent bets during games in 2023 and 2024.
2. Illegal High-Stakes Poker Games – This case allegedly involved four of New York’s five mafia families alongside professional athletes. Authorities say participants used sophisticated cheating tools such as X-ray tables, marked cards, shuffling machines, and special contact lenses to rig games and defraud high-stakes players. Some former athletes acted as “face cards” to lure victims, who were unaware of the scam.

The schemes allegedly spanned multiple locations, including Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons, beginning as early as 2019. The FBI also alleges acts of robbery, extortion, and money laundering involving both bank wires and cryptocurrencies.

Who Has Been Charged?

Terry Rozier, currently in the final season of his $96m contract with the Miami Heat, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His bail was set at $3 million.

Chauncey Billups, recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, was charged in connection with the illegal poker operation. Prosecutors claim he acted as a “face card,” lending credibility to the underground poker games. Billups pleaded not guilty and has a $5 million bail.

Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested, accused of sharing insider information about upcoming games for fraudulent betting purposes.

Authorities have linked the following NBA games to Operation Nothing But Bet:

• 9 February 2023 – Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks
• 23 March 2023 – Charlotte Hornets vs New Orleans Pelicans
• 24 March 2023 – Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls
• 6 April 2023 – Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers
• 15 January 2024 – Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
• 26 January 2024 – Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Clippers
• 20 March 2024 – Toronto Raptors vs Sacramento Kings

The illegal poker case involves 31 defendants, including 13 alleged members and associates of the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families. Charges include robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling.

NBA Response

Following the arrests, the NBA placed Rozier and Billups on immediate leave. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the league takes the allegations “with the utmost seriousness,” emphasizing the importance of game integrity. He noted that Rozier had previously cooperated with an NBA investigation after unusual prop bets were flagged in 2023.

Silver highlighted the balance the league seeks to maintain between protecting player rights and ensuring fair competition, stating that no convictions have been made yet.

New York’s Five Families Mafia Connection

The investigation revealed links to four of New York’s notorious Five Families—the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, and Genovese families. These families, part of the larger American-Sicilian mafia known as La Cosa Nostra, have been historically involved in organized crime, including racketeering and illegal gambling.

Despite major law enforcement crackdowns in the 1990s, the indictments show that the mafia continues to operate underground, often collaborating with criminal counterparts in Sicily.

The Broader Impact

The FBI investigation highlights the growing intersections between professional sports, organized crime, and illegal gambling. While Rozier, Billups, and Jones maintain their innocence, the cases underscore the need for vigilance in protecting the integrity of professional sports and ensuring the legal enforcement of gambling laws.

As plea deal negotiations continue in Brooklyn courts, the outcome of these cases could reshape how both the NBA and law enforcement approach illegal gambling and organized crime in sports.