‘Nightmare for the League’ Gambling Scandal Roils the NBA

At this moment, the NBA is experiencing one of its most tumultuous periods ever due to the recent arrest of two major figures within the league which shook confidence in the integrity of the sport. A nation-wide federal investigation regarding insider gambling and rigged high stakes poker games has included some current and former NBA players and coaches, and among them are; Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Terry Rozier, guard for the Miami Heat, leaving questions regarding how far the problems extend throughout professional basketball.

Reuters reports the duo were arrested on Thursday and charged separately by different investigations, Rozier being charged in an insider betting case using injury information about players, while Billups was indicted in a federal investigation related to an underground, Mafia linked poker operation. In addition to the two above mentioned players, former player/assistant coach Damon Jones was mentioned in both indictments and was accused of supplying injury information to bettors prior to five Lakers games in 2023-2024.

Across the League Fallout

The mood around the NBA changed quickly, going from excitement over opening week to uncertainty and fear. “Who else is involved?” asked one executive to The Guardian. “This is a nightmare for the league.” Players, coaches and agents reported they were shocked and angry as well, worrying that the investigation will reveal deeper connections between organized crime and the league.

Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers’ head coach and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, referred to the situation as “very serious,” and stated in interviews with the media prior to a game that he contacted Billups, but did not receive a response. Carlisle stated that the two players were arrested only one day after the league counsel spoke to the coaches about gambling policies and the perils of insider wagering.

Chauncey Billups’s attorney, Chris Heywood, denies the claims against Billups saying, “He has never and would never bet on basketball games, give insider information, nor jeopardize the trust of his team and the League.”

Integrity in Question

Federal officials believe the arrests of Billups and Rozier may be only the beginning. Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Christopher Raia stated that these two cases represent “only the tip of the iceberg” suggesting that there may be further indictments down the road. The NBA issued a public statement indicating it was reviewing the charges against Billups and Rozier and that the league would continue to work with all law enforcement agencies investigating this matter.

As an organization the NBA has fought the stigma of being associated with gambling. Last year, Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was permanently banned from playing in the league after admitting to betting related misconduct. The increasing popularity of prop bets — betting on an individual player’s performance rather than the outcome of the game — has created a significant concern for the NBA and prompted the league to encourage sportsbooks to limit “under” markets on players that are on short term contracts.

Inside the NBA, there is a rich history of gambling that includes high-stakes card games played on team flights, private poker circles held in Los Angeles and Houston. Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has admitted that a gambling dispute in a locker room led to a gun incident during his time with the Washington Wizards. On his podcast, current Lakers coach J.J. Reddick has discussed the near fist fights that occurred in the team plane over bourré games that were known as “the best gambling game ever due to the speed of the growth of the pot.”

Many experts feel that this scandal is more serious than previous scandals with Billups and Rozier both being highly respected, successful players. According to one team executive, “This isn’t about two players — this is about do fans truly believe the NBA will protect what happens on the court?”