We’re just three days into the 2025-26 NBA Season. And well, the turn of events has ripped the league apart. Who would’ve thought that such a day would come when we’d have to sit and talk about something as ominous as the NBA Gambling Scandal? As unbelievable as it might sound, the FBI’s two years of effort and crackdowns have produced the results. Thus leading to the arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier on Thursday.

Diving deeper into the matter, it feels like walking into the darkest alleys. The whispers of gambling, illegal betting, and even poker rings had been loud and about in the NBA. However, after a series of full-blown federal investigations, the reports are scary and astounding for the fans. So, what do we know about the NBA gambling scandal so far?

The NBA Gambling Scandal: Everything we know as of now

An extensive investigation across 11 states led to over 30 arrests. It revealed ties to the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed. The case involving Chauncey Billups exposed a nationwide rigged poker scheme. It targeted unsuspecting victims, often enticed by the opportunity to play with former professional athletes. Authorities reported acts of violence. These included a gunpoint robbery for a manipulated shuffling machine, alongside extortion and sophisticated money laundering using cash, shell companies, and cryptocurrency.

Terry Rozier is at the center of scrutiny for a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Unusual betting activity prompted sportsbooks to suspend wagers on his performance. Rozier, averaging 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game that season, exited after 10 minutes due to a foot injury. Officials allege that bettors placed over $200,000 on him. Meanwhile, Rozier met with the NBA and FBI, which found no wrongdoing. The probe also involves former Raptors forward Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty last year, thus unleashing the dark side of the NBA.

The Five Families

Interestingly enough, the NBA gambling scandal involves four of New York’s five mafia families. Out of which, the FBI and the NYPD have identified three, namely: Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families. Who are they?

The Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families are three of New York City’s notorious Five Families. These Italian-American crime groups trace their roots to 1931, when Salvatore Maranzano first organized them. Later, the Commission oversaw their operations. Each family has a unique history and leadership. Law enforcement links them today to racketeering, extortion, drug trafficking, and gambling. Their power has long shaped organized crime in the city and beyond.

The Bonanno family originated from Castellammare del Golfo in Sicily. The Commission expelled it in the early 1980s after Donnie Brasco infiltrated it. The Gambino family rose to dominance under Carlo Gambino from 1957 to 1976, taking control after Albert Anastasia’s assassination. The Genovese family, once led by Vito Genovese, earned an elite reputation among the Five Families, reflecting enduring influence and authority across the Mafia landscape.

More on the Rozier-Billups story

The FBI arrested Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in Orlando early Thursday morning as part of its growing investigation into illegal sports betting, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The arrest came hours after the Heat faced the Magic, a game in which Rozier was available but did not play. Federal authorities allege that a professional bettor placed 30 suspicious bets on him in under an hour during a 2023 contest.

Meanwhile, Federal authorities took Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups into custody for his alleged involvement in the same illegal gambling operation. The Athletic reported that prosecutors claim he participated in rigged high-stakes poker games. The case has intensified, drawing national attention and highlighting the scope of the FBI’s probe into league insiders exploiting confidential information for financial gain.

The investigation extends further. Malik Beasley, previously investigated for gambling-related misconduct with the Milwaukee Bucks, remains under scrutiny. Authorities have also charged former NBA player and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones, accusing him of leaking confidential team data that bettors used for an unfair advantage. Moreover, authorities also confirm that Rozier, Billups, and Jones are in federal custody as the NBA gambling scandal probe continues.

As you can see, the NBA’s glittering spotlight has collided with the shadowy world of organized crime, leaving the league reeling. As federal investigations tighten, stars, coaches, and mafia ties converge in a scandal that reshapes everything fans thought they knew. Secrets, betrayal, and deception lurked behind the courts, and the arrests signal a reckoning. The game has changed, and the league might never look the same again.