In a significant crackdown, the FBI arrested numerous individuals on Thursday, including NBA player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. The arrests are part of a broader investigation into illegal sports gambling and alleged poker games manipulated by organized crime. Both Rozier and Billups strongly refute the charges.

Terry Rozier, 31, is facing accusations alongside several others for reportedly manipulating bets on NBA games. Prosecutors suggest that certain players faked injuries to sway betting markets. Notably, Rozier allegedly exited a game early due to a purported foot injury, allowing accomplices to profit from bets totaling over $200,000. His legal representative has denied any wrongdoing.

Chauncey Billups, a former NBA star now serving as the Trail Blazers' head coach, is implicated in a separate matter concerning illegal poker games. This case involves 31 people charged with operating schemes that allegedly employed New York mafia families to rig games using advanced technology such as contact lenses and special glasses to read cards. Victims reportedly lost millions of dollars.

The NBA has placed Rozier and Billups on immediate leave as it conducts a review of the federal indictments. An NBA spokesperson reinforced the league's commitment to maintaining integrity. Rozier was granted bail after securing it with his home in Florida, while Billups is preparing to post a substantial bond after his arraignment in Portland.

Seven NBA games from February 2023 to March 2024 are currently under investigation, with Rozier allegedly influencing the outcome of a matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. He managed to score five points before leaving the game just nine minutes in, a stark drop from his average of 21 points per game. This situation raises significant concerns about the integrity of sports gambling.

In addition, a second indictment has emerged involving 31 individuals tied to rigging poker games featuring retired athletes. Prosecutors allege that 13 members of prominent New York crime families participated in this scheme, luring victims into high-stakes games across locations like Las Vegas and New York City, where they were cheated out of millions. Reports indicate that intimidation tactics were used to ensure victims paid up.

Representatives for both Rozier and Billups have expressed confidence in their clients' innocence, with Rozier's attorney asserting that the case lacks reliable evidence. The FBI has characterized the arrests as a coordinated effort across 11 states aimed at unraveling extensive fraud and theft.

Following a Supreme Court ruling in 2018, sports betting has become legal across the U.S., leading to rapid industry growth, including significant involvement from major leagues. Authorities label the case against Rozier as one of the most significant corruption scandals in the realm of sports betting since online gambling was legalized.

The charges against the defendants cover a range of offenses, including robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling. Prosecutors claim that the poker scheme bilked victims out of $7 million, with one person alone losing $1.8 million. FBI officials have cautioned that this is merely the 'tip of the iceberg' and will continue efforts to combat mafia influence in illegal gambling.