By Harshit | October 23, 2025 | Miami & Portland | 10:15 AM EDT
FBI Announces Arrests in Expanding Sports Betting Probe
PORTLAND, Ore. — In a stunning development shaking both the NBA and its fanbase, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested in connection with separate investigations tied to illegal gambling operations, the FBI confirmed Thursday.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests at a press conference held Thursday morning, describing them as “significant developments” in a widening federal investigation into sports-related gambling schemes that have allegedly entangled players, coaches, and organized crime figures.
According to Patel, Billups’ case involves an illegal poker operation with alleged Mafia connections, while Rozier’s arrest stems from an ongoing probe into manipulated player prop bets and statistical irregularities dating back to the 2022–23 NBA season.
Chauncey Billups Charged in Oregon Mafia-Linked Operation
Authorities confirmed that Chauncey Billups, 48, was taken into custody at his Portland-area residence early Thursday morning. Federal agents executed a search warrant tied to what investigators describe as a “high-stakes underground poker ring” that allegedly funneled money through shell companies and offshore accounts.
Billups, a five-year head coach and former NBA Finals MVP, was reportedly interviewed by federal agents earlier this year as part of the same investigation but was not considered a suspect until recently discovered financial records linked him to the operation’s organizers.
The Trail Blazers released a brief statement Thursday afternoon:
“We are aware of the reports regarding Coach Billups and are in the process of gathering information. The organization will refrain from further comment pending the outcome of the legal process.”
Billups is expected to make an initial court appearance later Thursday in Portland federal court. He has retained criminal defense attorney Robert F. Conners, who said in a statement that his client “maintains his innocence and intends to fight the charges vigorously.”
Terry Rozier Arrested in Florida After NBA Opener
Meanwhile, in a separate but concurrent case, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested by FBI agents Thursday morning at an Orlando hotel, one day after his team’s season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic. Rozier did not play in that game due to a “coach’s decision,” according to team officials.
At the center of Rozier’s investigation is a March 23, 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, when sportsbooks in multiple states flagged suspicious betting activity surrounding Rozier’s statistical props. That night, Rozier — who was averaging 21.1 points per game — exited after just 10 minutes due to a reported foot injury.
Federal investigators later uncovered betting irregularities linked to overseas accounts that coincided with the timing of Rozier’s early exit.
Rozier’s attorney, Eric Stanton, told ESPN in 2023 that the player had already met with both the NBA and FBI multiple times, and that the league had cleared him of wrongdoing. However, newly obtained betting data and witness testimony have reportedly reopened the case.
Broader Gambling Scandal Unfolding Across the NBA
The arrests come amid a larger sports betting scandal that has already implicated former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, who was banned for life from the NBA earlier this year for violating gambling policies.
Federal officials say the broader investigation centers on a criminal network facilitating insider betting on NBA and NCAA games. The network allegedly relied on information from athletes and associates, often disguised through encrypted communication channels and cryptocurrency transactions.
The FBI declined to say whether other NBA players or staff members are currently under investigation but confirmed that “multiple individuals” across several states remain subjects of ongoing inquiries.
Potential League Consequences and NBA Response
The NBA issued an official statement Thursday afternoon acknowledging awareness of the situation:
“The league is cooperating fully with federal authorities as they continue their investigation. The integrity of our game is paramount, and we will take all necessary measures once the facts are known.”
If convicted, both Billups and Rozier could face significant disciplinary actions, including multi-year suspensions or lifetime bans under the NBA’s gambling policy. Federal charges related to illegal gambling and racketeering carry potential prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Rozier, 31, is currently in the final year of a four-year, $96.3 million contract he originally signed with the Charlotte Hornets in 2021 before being traded to Miami in January 2024.
As of Thursday evening, both the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers have declined to make players or executives available for comment.