An absolute scandal is rocking the NBA, involving a current player, a head coach, and former league personnel linked to two massive federal indictments. The scope of the alleged crimes is staggering, involving **rigged sports bets** using insider knowledge and **high-tech fixed poker games** connected to organized crime.
The integrity of the NBA is under intense scrutiny following the announcement of two sweeping federal indictments in New York, charging dozens of individuals—including high-profile figures like Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach **Chauncey Billups** and Miami Heat Guard **Terry Rozier**—with illegal gambling and fraud. Both Rozier and Billups have been placed on **immediate leave** by the NBA as the league cooperates with authorities.
Operation Nothing But Bet: Inside Information and Rigged Prop Bets
Dubbed **”Operation Nothing But Bet,”** this indictment focuses on an alleged scheme to exploit **confidential, non-public information** about NBA players and teams to place fraudulent sports wagers, primarily **prop bets** (wagers on a player’s individual statistics).
The Terry Rozier Allegations
Miami Heat guard **Terry Rozier**, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets, is a central figure in this case.
- The Scheme: Prosecutors allege that Rozier conspired to prematurely remove himself from a March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans under the guise of a **supposed injury**.
- The Payoff: According to the indictment, Rozier provided this non-public information to a friend, who then sold the tip, allowing conspirators to place successful “under” wagers on Rozier’s statistics. Rozier played just over nine minutes, and the fraudulent bets allegedly **raked in thousands of dollars**.
- Legal Status: Rozier was arrested on charges of **conspiracy to commit wire fraud** and **conspiracy to commit money laundering**.
The Damon Jones Connection
Former NBA player and unofficial Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach **Damon Jones** is also accused in the sports betting scheme, allegedly using his connections to obtain and sell private information, including details about a **prominent player’s injury** and availability before it was announced publicly.
Operation Royal Flush: The Mafia-Backed Rigged Poker Ring
The second, even larger indictment, **”Operation Royal Flush,”** reveals a shocking connection between former NBA figures and **New York City’s organized crime families**, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families. The scheme allegedly defrauded victims out of over **$7 million** in six years.
Chauncey Billups as a ‘Face Card’
Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach **Chauncey Billups** is accused of being a **”Face Card”**—a high-profile figure used to attract unsuspecting victims, or “fish,” to play in rigged, high-stakes poker games.
The alleged cheating relied on **highly sophisticated technology** to guarantee the house and the co-conspirators would win. This equipment allegedly included:
- **X-ray tables** that could read cards face down.
- **Electronic chip trays** with hidden cameras to secretly record cards.
- **Playing cards with markers** visible only to players wearing special contact lenses or sunglasses.
Billups made his initial court appearance on charges of **wire fraud** and **money laundering** conspiracy related to the rigged games.
Jones’s Role in Both Indictments
Damon Jones is one of the few individuals charged in **both** “Operation Nothing But Bet” (sports betting) and “Operation Royal Flush” (rigged poker), where he is also accused of serving as a “Face Card” and a member of the “cheating teams.”
The League’s Response and Focus on Integrity
The scale of the corruption has forced the NBA to act swiftly. The league confirmed it is **fully cooperating** with the federal investigation, and:
- Player & Coach Leave: Both Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups were **placed on immediate leave** from their respective teams.
- Official Stance: The NBA stressed its commitment to maintaining public trust: “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the **integrity of our game remains our top priority**.”
This expansive investigation builds on previous incidents, such as the lifetime ban of former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, underscoring the ongoing challenge the professional sports world faces in policing the line between insider access and illegal financial exploitation.
