Mob‑Tied NBA Betting, Rigged Poker Probe

Federal authorities arrested more than 30 people, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, after unsealing two related indictments alleging illegal sports betting and rigged high‑stakes poker games tied to Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese crime family affiliates. Prosecutors say Billups and others acted as “face cards” to attract players to fixed poker games across roughly a dozen states and that the ring used sophisticated cheating devices such as modified shufflers, concealed cameras and marked‑card contact lenses. Rozier is accused of exploiting confidential NBA injury and availability information to place lucrative prop bets, and former player/assistant Damon Jones is among those charged. The indictments allege wire fraud, money‑laundering, extortion and conspiracy, include reported acts of violence, and prosecutors say victims lost at least $7 million and possibly tens of millions. The NBA has cooperated and placed the accused on leave, and initial court appearances were expected in Brooklyn federal court after the indictments were unsealed.