Federal investigations into NBA insider betting have led to arrests of key figures including Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups. The scandal highlights vulnerabilities in sports betting, prompting calls for stricter regulations in states like Massachusetts and Michigan. Experts warn of broader public health risks tied to legalized wagering.
The NBA gambling scandal unfolded with federal probes revealing alleged insider trading on player availability. Last month, investigators announced ties between league personnel and bettors, encompassing two separate cases. In one, former Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier is accused of informing a friend in 2023 that he planned to exit a game early, leading to bets on his performance unders. Rozier played just over 10 minutes before leaving, and he allegedly profited from the scheme. His representatives maintain his innocence.
The second investigation involves Damon Jones, a former NBA player and Los Angeles Lakers staffer, who allegedly shared pre-public player availability info with bettors. An unnamed co-defendant matching Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is implicated similarly; Billups was placed on leave by the team. Both Jones and Billups face additional allegations of luring celebrities into Mafia-linked rigged poker games. Billups' attorney stated he "has never and would never gamble on basketball games."
Arrests occurred last week: Billups in Portland, Rozier in Orlando, Florida, and Jones in Las Vegas, per federal reports. Earlier, retired player Gilbert Arenas was arrested in September 2025 on racketeering charges for a high-stakes gambling ring. FBI Director Kash Patel called it "the insider trading saga for the NBA."
Sportsbooks like Boston-based DraftKings, an NBA partner, positioned themselves as victims and advocates for regulated betting. "Regulated online sports betting is the best way forward to monitor for and detect suspicious behavior," their statement read.
The scandal has spurred regulatory action. In Michigan, the Gaming Control Board announced tighter rules on prop bets and insider monitoring. Executive Director Henry Williams emphasized proactive safeguards: "The integrity of sports betting in Michigan depends on more than enforcement."
In Massachusetts, experts like Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern’s Public Health Advocacy Institute described sports betting as a public health crisis, linking it to issues like bankruptcy. State Sen. John Keenan proposed the “Bettor Health Act” to ban prop and in-game bets, enhance ad restrictions, and raise taxes. "Our goal really is to... prevent them from going down the path where there are no guardrails," Keenan said. The Sports Betting Alliance warned higher taxes could push users offshore.