NBA’s Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Arrested in Gambling Investigation

Portland, Oregon — Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was arrested Thursday in connection with a federal investigation into illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Billups, along with Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones, faces serious charges that could impact the integrity of the NBA.

The FBI’s investigation involved over 30 arrests across ten states, targeting schemes linked to organized crime. Billups has been placed on immediate leave by the NBA, along with Rozier, following their involvement in two distinct cases that allegedly include insider betting information and poker game fraud.

Billups, who has been with the Trail Blazers since 2021, is specifically accused of being part of a rigged poker operation that utilized sophisticated cheating technology. Federal prosecutors allege that the scheme defrauded victims out of tens of millions of dollars, with the investigation revealing the participation of various Mafia families.

According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, the investigation highlighted how organized crime figures recruited unsuspecting gamblers, known as “fish,” to take part in rigged poker games featuring prominent athletes. Billups was identified as one of these “face cards” who attracted players to the games.

Meanwhile, Rozier has been implicated in a separate betting case that allegedly involved the use of insider information to impact NBA game outcomes. This scandal reportedly included clandestine communication with other conspirators regarding player availability.

Billups and Rozier are facing charges that include money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They were both expected to appear in court later Thursday.

The Trail Blazers named Tiago Splitter, an assistant coach, as interim head coach as the organization responds to this unfolding situation. The NBA has stated they are taking the current allegations very seriously and will continue to cooperate with authorities as the investigation progresses.

“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the league confirmed in a statement. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority.”