Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Charged in Major Betting Scandal

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been charged in connection with illegal sports betting schemes and rigged poker games allegedly supported by organized crime. On October 23, 2025, authorities confirmed that over 30 individuals are implicated in these extensive operations, which include insider information exploitation and manipulation of game outcomes.

The U.S. Attorney for Brooklyn, Joseph Nocella Jr., announced the indictments during a press conference, highlighting the significant scale of these schemes. Billups faces charges related to a conspiracy involving underground poker games, while Rozier is accused of using private NBA information to participate in an illegal sports betting operation. According to Nocella, Rozier’s actions are part of a broader insider betting conspiracy that has been dubbed “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the United States.”

Details of the Charges

The indictment includes six individuals tied to the insider sports betting scheme. These defendants allegedly exploited confidential details about NBA players and teams, prompting concern over the integrity of the league. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch indicated that players involved sometimes adjusted their performance or exited games early to facilitate betting gains. Notably, Rozier reportedly informed associates he intended to leave a game early due to a “supposed injury,” which allowed others to profit from betting on his performance.

Rozier’s indictment also mentions nine unnamed co-conspirators, including individuals with past connections to the NBA. These co-conspirators allegedly provided insider information to support betting activities in exchange for financial compensation. The Miami Heat has not yet commented on Rozier’s arrest, which occurred shortly after the team’s season opener on October 22, when they faced the Orlando Magic.

In a separate case, the poker game scandal involves 31 defendants, including former professional athletes accused of utilizing technology to defraud victims in illegal poker games. Nocella characterized this operation as a nationwide scheme that has siphoned millions of dollars from unsuspecting players, further implicating organized crime in the process.

Billups’ Career and Background

A prominent figure in basketball, Chauncey Billups was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. The former NBA Finals MVP led the Detroit Pistons to their championship title in 2004. Billups, who began his coaching career in Portland in 2021, holds a record of 117 wins and 212 losses as head coach. The Trail Blazers opened their season with a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 23, 2025, in a game that saw Billups’s team struggle.

The ongoing investigation into Rozier and Billups comes on the heels of scrutiny surrounding NBA players’ behaviors. The league has previously examined Rozier’s actions and continues to look into the conduct of former player Malik Beasley. Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, indicated that his client was assured in 2023 that he had not engaged in wrongdoing after discussions with NBA and FBI officials.

The implications of these charges are significant, raising concerns about the future of both implicated individuals and the integrity of professional basketball. As investigations unfold, the NBA has not issued a comment but is likely to conduct its own inquiries into the matter. The outcome of these legal battles could reshape the landscape of sports betting and player conduct in the league.