The NBA faced an unprecedented upheaval on Thursday as federal authorities exposed a sports betting scandal that has ensnared both active players and coaches. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested in connection with illegal sports betting allegedly orchestrated by mafia-backed networks (per CNN).
According to FBI reports, more than 30 people, including retired players and organized crime figures, have been indicted. Amidst this, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott’s former Greenwich Village rental has come under scrutiny as a site of alleged mafia-run poker nights, though neither is accused of any wrongdoing as of now. Even LeBron James has been mentioned in the indictments as “Player 3”.
Let’s take a closer look at the six celebrities caught up in the NBA sports betting scandal.
6. Kylie Jenner
Federal investigators revealed that a six-story townhouse at 80 Washington Place, once rented by Kylie Jenner in 2021 while pregnant with her second child, was reportedly used for poker games tied to New York’s crime families (per Marca). The indictment alleges that members of the Gambino and Genovese families hosted private poker nights at the property, using electronic card shufflers and X-ray-enabled tables to defraud wealthy participants of millions.
Reportedly, the home even appeared in a 2023 episode of The Kardashians, though Jenner had no involvement in the alleged schemes. The townhouse, described as one of Greenwich Village’s most luxurious residences, reportedly sold for $17 million in 2024 after a turbulent decade of rentals.
Authorities believe the alleged illegal poker ring began around 2019 and persisted through October 2023, with rival factions clashing violently over competing games. Despite the townhouse’s notoriety, Jenner’s connection remains tangential; federal indictments include no accusations against her.
5. Travis Scott
Like Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott’s time at 80 Washington Place intersects with the scandal only in geography. Federal filings indicate that Scott’s rented townhouse was one of two Manhattan locations where alleged mafia-backed poker games occurred.
While the former couple lived there in 2021, prosecutors claim that sophisticated cheating methods, including pre-marked cards and electronic shufflers, were employed to defraud participants. We learned this from Marca.
Scott is not charged, and there is no evidence suggesting knowledge of the illegal activities. But the association with such a high-profile scandal is sparking curiosity across the NBA and celebrity circles.
4. Terry Rozier
On Friday morning, as the Miami Heat assembled for their shootaround practice, the absence of Terry Rozier reportedly hit home. Rozier has been placed on indefinite leave by the NBA following his arrest for allegedly conspiring with friends to help them win bets on a March 2023 game while he was with the Charlotte Hornets.
Anyone using Sports Betting Apps Should be PISSED!!!
NBA Players Altered their Performance, Faked Injuries and Illnesses, to Manipulate Prop Bets on Sports Betting Platforms
“They placed wagers on unders, for players to score less, rebound less, assist less, using information… https://t.co/4Z2BvotSrh pic.twitter.com/FtvE4EqX8o
Heat captain Bam Adebayo said (via ESPN):
That’s our brother at the end of the day. It felt kind of weird without him being here, actually, because he’s the first person I get to talk to in the morning. He brings that great energy to our team.
The Heat didn’t comment on the legal part of the case. Rozier’s attorney has denied any wrongdoing. According to federal indictments, Rozier allegedly told childhood friend Deniro Laster that he would pull himself from the game due to foot pain, and Laster sold this information to bettors for about $100,000. These bets reportedly totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Reportedly, Rozier even facilitated travel for Laster to collect proceeds and counted money at his home. Coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized the team’s focus: “You’re left with no other choice…You have to learn how to compartmentalize and focus on the most immediate thing. That’s preparing for an important game tonight.”
3. Chauncey Billups
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in connection with a separate illegal poker operation backed by mafia families, alongside Rozier and Damon Jones. According to CNN and USA Today, Billups allegedly scammed victims out of millions using X-ray tables, pre-marked cards, and other cheating technologies.
This is crazy…
🚨 FBI Kash Patel Full Presser:
Historic NBA & Mafia Illegal Gambling and Sports rigging Operation — NBA Players faking illnesses and Injuries
• Wire Fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, and illegal gambling
• First indictment involves 6 defendants… https://t.co/nXiHyuOdFO pic.twitter.com/L8ukbnQp1I
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. explained that mafia families, including the Bonano, Gambino, and Genovese, controlled these games in NYC. Victims, referred to as “fish,” were lured to play with former athletes called “face cards,” not realizing everyone was in on the scam.
Chauncey Billups was released Thursday following his appearance before Judge Jolie Russo at the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon. He is scheduled to appear next in the Eastern District Court in New York on November 24, according to the NY Times.
Billups has three daughters with his wife, Piper Billups. Attorney Chris Heywood called him a “man of integrity” and stated:
Men of integrity do not cheat and defraud others. He will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in court.
Billups has agreed to travel restrictions, forfeited his passport, and is prohibited from gambling during the investigation.
2. Damon Jones
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is also facing charges in both sports betting and illegal poker operations. According to CNN, the DOJ alleges he
Shared and sold insider information on numerous occasions about undisclosed information relating to NBA games, such as lineup decisions and pre-release medical information, to his co-conspirators.
Jones allegedly shared insider details about two Los Angeles Lakers games, one involving LeBron James, who was injured on February 9, 2023, against the Milwaukee Bucks. A text from Jones read (via CNN):
Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [Player 3] is out tonight. Bet enough so Djones can eat to [sic] now!!!
Though James was the injured player, sources told The Athletic that he was unaware of Jones’ schemes.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James’ name appeared in the investigation, but he is not being charged. Reports confirm that Damon Jones provided insider information involving James’ injury status and other NBA games. The Lakers and James have not commented, and sources claim James had no knowledge of the illegal operations.
Despite being mentioned in connection with these scandals, James continues to focus on his career and team performance. Both the NBA and the FBI confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and could result in more indictments.
Could this investigation trigger stricter league oversight, or will more insiders be implicated?
As the situation continues to develop, share your thoughts on this NBA scandal in the comments below, and stay tuned to FandomWire for the latest updates!
