U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said the suspects allegedly used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from secretly rigged underground poker games.
Federal law enforcement have arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and dozens of others s part of a sweeping investigation into illegal sports gambling and poker rigging schemes allegedly backed by the Mafia.
At the center of attention in Rozier’s case is a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Sports books in several states flagged unusual betting activity on Rozier’s statistics, triggering a halt on his prop bets. Rozier, who averaged 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game that season, left the game after playing just 10 minutes due to a foot injury.
Justice Department officials alleged on Thursday that more than $200,000 was bet on Rozier’s “under” in the game
Rozier’s attorney previously told ESPN that the veteran guard met with the NBA and FBI several times in 2023, and that the league determined Rozier had done nothing wrong.
The case is part of a larger sports gambling scheme that has already implicated former Raptors forward Jontay Porter.
an FBI official says the alleged NBA gambling ring involves the "Toronto Rangers" (not a real team), which doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the quality of their investigation
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 23, 2025 at 7:24 AM
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The extraordinary federal takedown led to the arrests of more than 30 people across 11 states on charges including wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery and illegal gambling, FBI Director Kash Patel announced at a news conference.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said the suspects allegedly used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from secretly rigged underground poker games.
These games were backed by the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families, Nocella said.
The Fascist Felon’s Crime Organization Targets Another Crime Organization:
Q: Director, you said in your comments 'we're going to take heat for this case.' Why do you say that? PATEL: It's not popular to go after some of the defendants that we went after today, but justice is served blindly. This is the insider trading saga for the NBA. That's why we are gonna take heat
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 23, 2025 at 7:48 AM
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Kash Patel: "This is an operation that showcases to you that under President Trump's administration, there is no room for any type of criminal behavior, be in on the world's largest stage or in the back rooms of tiny parlors where card games were being played."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 23, 2025 at 7:19 AM
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Kash Patel: "We will not deny anyone their due process and that's the brilliance of this system. That's the brilliant of this administration. Everyone will be held to account."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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