In light of available information and court documents released following a morning wave of arrests across the United States, as well as a police press conference, here's what we know about the sports betting and illegal gambling scandal rocking the NBA.
• Also read: NBA coach and players arrested by FBI for illegal betting and gaming linked to mafia
Who is involved and what are the charges?
31 answers
Choice from 1re Celtics round in 2015
Miami Heat guard
10 seasons and 715 games in the NBA.
He played for the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Heat.
He altered his actions by feigning injury, among other things, and also revealed inside information to rig sports betting in order to generate significant profits for his co-conspirators.
Getty Images via AFP
49 replies
Head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021.
17 seasons and 1189 games in the NBA.
Basketball Hall of Fame Member
He was involved in a fraudulent scheme of rigged poker games in which victims suffered millions of dollars in losses.
49 replies
Retirement
11 seasons and 716 games in the NBA (Vancouver, Detroit, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Miami, Cleveland)
Assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2016 to 2018.
He used, transferred, and sold sensitive information, such as training data or medical data, to rig sports betting, as well as to participate in fraud schemes.
He also participated in a fraudulent scheme of rigged poker games in which victims suffered millions of dollars in losses.
Which organized crime members are involved?
REUTERS
According to FBK Director Kash Patel and New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the wave of accusations has affected four of the five mafia families of New York.
“They influence lieutenants and members [soldats] from the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese and Genovese crime families, Tisch said. It is extremely rare for four out of five families to be united under one charge. This reflects the depth and breadth of this investigation and the skill and persistence it took to achieve this result and uncover a deliberate and technologically sophisticated criminal operation.”
Which NBA teams are affected by illegal betting?
MEGA/IF
According to documents released this afternoon, inside information about seven matches involving a total of 10 teams would allow people to profit from betting. In particular, LeBron James took part in the matches.
February 9, 2023: Lakers, Los Angeles c. Milwaukee Bucks
March 23, 2023: Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
March 24, 2023: Portland Trail Blazers c. Chicago Bulls
April 6, 2023: Orlando Magic ca. Knights of Cleveland
January 15, 2024: Angeles Lakers c. Oklahoma City Thunder
January 26, 2024: Toronto Raptors – Los Angeles Clippers
March 20, 2024: Toronto Raptors c. Kings de Sacramento
How did the illegal poker scheme work?
Kenishirotie, Fotolia
Parties took place in Manhattan between wealthy people. They were drawn to athletes and sports figures such as Chauncey Billups, who sat at the table to portray the games as legitimate to victims.
However, the games were rigged as criminals allegedly used advanced technological tools to cheat. The scheme largely involved the Mafia and cost victims millions of dollars. They were also allegedly threatened with debt payments.
Vending machines read decks of cards and predicted who might have the best hand. The information was relayed to the operator, who then relayed it to the player (third party) sitting at the table.
The documents also mention the use of electronic poker boards and chips, as well as mobile phones used to analyze and read cards on the table. The defendants also used cameras and visual devices to commit fraud.
The Bonnano, Gambino and Genovese mafia families are believed to be behind the scheme in New York, according to the attorney general.
How did the NBA and Players Association react?
AFP
Several hours passed after the wave of arrests before there was an official response from the circle led by Adam Silver and the NBA Players Association.
“Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier are leaving their team effective immediately. We are investigating the federal charges and continue to cooperate with authorities. We take these allegations seriously and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said in a statement.
“The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance to NBA players, as is the presumption of innocence, and both principles are violated when a player’s popularity is abused for attention,” the NBA Players Association said in a statement. We will ensure our members are protected and given due process rights throughout this process.”
Did the illegal betting extend beyond the outcome of the match?
Yes. They also included what is called “reference rates“in slang. This is a proposed bet on the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of an event in a match that will not affect the outcome of the match.
This type of bet is possible in all professional sports. Chief Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has also signaled his opposition to this type of betting in the spring of 2024.
According to a 2025 Siena College survey, 73% of bettors have already placed the suggested bets.
Several leagues are pushing for restrictions on this type of betting as several suspicions have been raised about bettors suddenly changing their results. They want universal federal sports betting laws. Rather, they are regulated by states.
Many online sports betting companies are affiliated with the major professional leagues in North America. DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, Bet MGM, Bet 365 and others are affiliated with the NBA, NFL, MLB and MLS.
The NHL signed an agreement with Polymarket and controversial company Kalshi on Tuesday, raising doubts among the American Gaming Association, which says it is very concerned about the agreement.
