FBI Arrests Billups, Rozier in Betting, Poker Probe

Federal prosecutors and the FBI announced charges and arrested more than 30 people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, in two related cases: an alleged insider NBA sports-betting conspiracy and a nationwide scheme to rig underground poker games. Prosecutors say the sports-betting indictment accuses players and coaches of exploiting confidential team and player information to place bets and sometimes alter performances, citing a March 2023 instance where Rozier allegedly told co‑conspirators he would leave a game early and bets on that outcome paid out. The poker case alleges defendants, some tied to the Gambino and Genovese crime families, used cheating technology such as custom shuffling machines, barcoded decks and hidden cameras to defraud victims of millions. Officials said the arrests were part of an 11‑state coordinated takedown called Operation Zhen Diagram supported by thousands of recorded calls and undercover work, and that additional organized‑crime members and former athletes face charges. The NBA has cooperated with investigators while defense lawyers dispute the allegations as prosecutions proceed.