FBI Chief: NBA Billups, Rozier Arrests Linked to ‘Mafia Crime Families’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A sweeping federal investigation has uncovered a massive sports betting and poker rigging operation involving mafia crime families, NBA players, and coaches. Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups are among the high-profile names charged. Authorities revealed the scheme spanned years, used sophisticated cheating tech, and generated tens of millions in fraudulent profits.
NBA Gambling Scandal + Mafia Ties: Quick Looks
- Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier allegedly faked an injury to help rig bets
- Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups acted as a “face card” in rigged poker games
- Scheme involved at least four of New York’s five major mafia families
- Defendants used advanced technology to cheat in poker and gather NBA insider info
- FBI dubbed the investigation “Operation Royal Flush”
- Over $7 million lost in poker game fraud alone
- 31 people indicted across nine U.S. states
- Victims misled by use of celebrities and high-tech devices
- Bets placed on games involving teams like Hornets, Lakers, Raptors
- FBI and NYPD emphasize the operation’s historic scope and sophistication
FBI Chief: NBA Billups, Rozier Arrests Linked to ‘Mafia Crime Families’
Deep Look
A large-scale federal investigation has led to the arrest of 31 individuals — including NBA player Terry Rozier and head coach Chauncey Billups — for their alleged roles in a multi-year, mafia-linked sports betting and poker game rigging operation. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the operation was “historic” in scope, involving tens of millions of dollars in fraud and coordinated activities between organized crime families and figures within the NBA.
In a press conference Thursday morning, Patel announced details of “Operation Royal Flush,” a probe that exposed a national gambling enterprise rooted in high-level deceit, wire fraud, and technological manipulation. The investigation, involving agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the NYPD, reached across nine U.S. states and included members of La Cosa Nostra’s most notorious families: Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese.
Rozier’s Role in Betting Scheme
Terry Rozier, currently with the Miami Heat but formerly of the Charlotte Hornets, is accused of tipping off associates about plans to leave a game early under the guise of injury. On March 23, 2023, he exited a game just nine minutes in. Prior to that, his inner circle allegedly wagered over $200,000 on bets targeting his underperformance — bets that paid out tens of thousands in winnings. The proceeds were reportedly hand-delivered to Rozier’s residence, where they were counted in cash.
Poker Games Rigged with Tech and Star Power
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch detailed how poker games were manipulated using a range of high-tech tools. These included modified shuffling machines capable of reading deck orders, barcoded cards, and hidden cameras embedded in furniture and lighting fixtures.
To make the games seem legitimate, high-profile figures such as Chauncey Billups were brought in. Labelled a “face card,” Billups’ presence gave credibility to games where nearly everyone — from dealers to fellow players — were co-conspirators. Victims, unaware of the scam, were systematically defrauded, with one individual reportedly losing $1.8 million.
According to federal authorities, some cheating tech included off-the-shelf shuffling machines altered to predict winning hands, which were then communicated via cellphone to someone known as the “quarterback” at the table. This person relayed the outcomes to accomplices, ensuring consistent wins. Other gadgets included contact lenses that read marked cards and even poker chip trays with hidden cameras.
NBA Insider Info Exploited
US Attorney Joseph Nocella explained that defendants used confidential information, including injury details, future game participation, and personal connections with players and coaches, to place fraudulent bets. In one instance, a player — believed to be Jontae Porter — was allegedly threatened to disclose sensitive data due to his own gambling debts.
These bets primarily targeted “prop bets,” focusing on individual player statistics rather than game outcomes. Nocella added that both in-person and online sportsbooks were used to funnel hundreds of thousands in illegal wagers.
Mafia’s Deep Involvement
Investigators revealed that the operation was backed by several prominent mafia families, who provided infrastructure, financing, and muscle to protect the operation. The convergence of organized crime with professional sports made this case uniquely difficult to investigate and exceptionally damaging.
Tisch emphasized the rarity of indictments implicating four of New York’s five crime families in a single case, underscoring the scale and collaborative nature of the conspiracy.
Crackdown and Consequences
The arrests unfolded early Thursday morning as federal agents and police raided homes across the country.
“These individuals operated under the illusion of invincibility,” said Rick Patel of Homeland Security Investigations. “But today, they were reminded that no one is beyond the reach of law enforcement.”
With two separate but connected fraud indictments — one focused on sports betting and another on illegal poker games — the Justice Department and FBI made clear they are pursuing all angles of this criminal web. Both Rozier and Billups face significant legal consequences, and the NBA is expected to open its own internal investigations.
Kash Patel summed up the gravity of the case, stating, “When professional sports and organized crime collide, the results are catastrophic — for fans, for players, and for public trust.”
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