Billups, Rozier Arrested in Gambling Probe: NBA, Sports Betting Under Scrutiny
Federal authorities announced charges against Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and dozens of others Thursday as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports gambling and poker rigging schemes allegedly backed by the Mafia. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Nothing But Bet” and “Operation Royal Flush,” revealed that Rozier was involved in an insider sports betting scheme, while Billups was implicated in a plot to rig underground poker games. The schemes involved the use of high-tech cheating gadgets and the exploitation of confidential information to allegedly defraud participants. The NBA has placed Rozier and Billups on immediate leave as they address these allegations.
John Q. Hosedrinker