Gambling syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated and have been able to penetrate even the highest echelons of professional sports.
A fresh investigation by the FBI in the United States has led to the arrests of 34 people at first, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones, all of whom are suspected of attending Mafia-backed poker games and potentially leaking sensitive insider information about the NBA.
NBA high-ranking players and coaches arrested
Rozier, in particular, has been arrested on suspicion of using insider NBA information to manipulate betting outcomes, a similar offense to what Jontay Porter committed, which earned him a lifetime ban. However, Rozier may actually face more serious consequences for his action as he has possibly colluded with criminals to pull off the scheme.
At least seven NBA games were affected by the leaks, involving numerous NBA franchises, among which are the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors (Porter’s former team), Los Angeles Lakers, Trail Blazers, and others.
"This is the insider trading saga for the NBA, that's what this is," FBI director Kash Patel said. Rozier and Billups are now indicted on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, which could potentially fetch them up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Yet, it goes beyond that. Jones, Billups, and Rozier are alleged to have helped bring players to Mafia-backed poker games and specifically attract high-stakes players, resulting in losses for those people.
The games themselves were supposedly rigged, with the hosts using various contraptions to put players at a disadvantage. Participants were unaware of the fraud that was going on, with four crime families: the Lucchese, GambinolaCosa Nostra, Bonanno, and Genovese, said to have organized things.
AGA welcomes action against the illegal gambling sector
All active players involved in the case, as well as any staffers, have been placed on leave in the meantime, as the NBA is also rallying and figuring out the details. These events have not been left in a vacuum, however, with the American Gaming Association (AGA) hailing the investigation as a major success against illegal gambling.
"Today’s revelations are a stark reminder of the pervasive and predatory illegal market, ensnaring countless individuals and operating in the shadows. It is important to recognize that the regulated legal market delivers transparency, oversight, and collaboration with authorities that assist in bringing these bad actors to light," AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said.
The case is ongoing.
