FBI Director Kash Patel issued a warning after the arrests of NBA figures tied to illegal gambling, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones. Patel said the operation spanned eleven states and several years, leading to more than thirty arrests so far, with more expected.
He described two main schemes: one involving players accused of faking injuries to influence bets, and another centered on high-stakes illegal poker games linked to organized crime families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese. Rozier was connected to the first case; Billups to the second.
Patel emphasized that illegal gambling—whether tied to games or underground poker—will not be tolerated. “No one is above the law,” he said. Sports radio host Craig Carton, who has spoken about his own past gambling issues, noted the NBA and players’ union are deeply concerned and have taken steps to educate rookies on the risks of gambling and associating with gamblers.
He described two main schemes: one involving players accused of faking injuries to influence bets, and another centered on high-stakes illegal poker games linked to organized crime families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese. Rozier was connected to the first case; Billups to the second.
Patel emphasized that illegal gambling—whether tied to games or underground poker—will not be tolerated. “No one is above the law,” he said. Sports radio host Craig Carton, who has spoken about his own past gambling issues, noted the NBA and players’ union are deeply concerned and have taken steps to educate rookies on the risks of gambling and associating with gamblers.
