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NBA cracks down in the wake of Mafia gambling scandal as urgent memo is sent to teams and players MORE: The NBA Mafia betting scandal is the tip of the iceberg, expert warns By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER Published: 16:34 GMT, 27 October 2025 | Updated: 17:15 GMT, 27 October 2025 The NBA has reportedly launched a review into its policies around injuries and betting just days after the league was embroiled in an alleged Mafia-led gambling scandal. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested as part of a FBI investigation into an alleged gambling ring that spanned decades. On Monday, as reported by ESPN, the league wrote to all 30 teams detailing plans to look into its policies including those related to injury reporting. It's claimed the NBA is also reviewing its training and education for players and staff, as well as 'enhancing' its methods of identifying 'betting activity of concern.' 'While the unusual betting on Terry Rozier's "unders" in the March 2023 game was detected in real time because the bets were placed legally, we believe there is more that can be done from a legal/regulatory perspective to protect the integrity of the NBA and our affiliated leagues,' the memo read, per ESPN. 'In particular, proposition bets on individual player performance involve heightened integrity concerns and require additional scrutiny.' The NBA has reportedly launched a review into its policies around injuries and betting Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups (left) and Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier (right) were arrested as part of an FBI sports gambling probe Rozier, 31, was detained at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, after the Heat were defeated by the Magic in a road game Wednesday evening. His arrest comes after sportsbooks in multiple states flagged suspicious betting activity on the player's statistics ahead of the Charlotte Hornets-New Orleans Pelicans game on March 23, 2023. The FBI alleges that Rozier told the defendants he was going to leave the game early, sparking a flurry of wages on the under for Rozier's points, rebounds and assists. Sportsbooks consequently halted betting on the veteran, but it is alleged that over $200,000 of wagers were placed, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in profits. Rozier would ultimately leave the game after less than 10 minutes of action due to what was described at the time as a 'sore right foot.' He had just five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a foul. It is then alleged he counted the money with other defendants at his home. But, following his arrest, Rozier's attorney denied that the guard faked the injury, insisting he followed up with medics after the game. The NBA was alerted at the time to 'unusual betting activity' related to Rozier's performance. The league conducted its own investigation but did not find any violation of rules. On Friday, in the wake of Rozier's arrest, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked why Rozier was not suspended. The guard continued to play in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with both the Hornets and the Heat. Rozier's arrest comes after sportsbooks in multiple states flagged suspicious betting activity on the player's statistics ahead of a game on March 23, 2023 'So what happened was, because bets were placed through legalized, legal betting companies, they picked up aberrational behavior around a particular game in March of 2023,' Silver told Amazon Prime. 'That was brought to our attention by the regulators and the betting companies. We then looked into that situation, and we're very transparent about it. 'And while there was that aberrational betting, we frankly couldn't find anything. Terry at the time cooperated, he gave the league office his phone, he sat down for an interview and we concluded that there was insufficient evidence to move forward. 'We then worked directly with the law enforcement, as they said at the press conference, that the league has been cooperating. That was obviously over two years ago. 'So the federal government can threaten to put people in jail and all kinds of things that a league office can't do. And of course, what they announced was an indictment, so two and a half years later he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry. 'Obviously it doesn't look good but he's now been put on administrative leave and so there's a balance here of protecting people's rights and investigating.' Meanwhile, Trail Blazers coach Billups, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year, was arrested in a case linked to an illegal poker operation linked with the Mafia. The poker operation is allegedly tied to the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families, and saw rigged games take place in Manhattan, the Hamptons and Las Vegas. It is alleged that New York's notorious crime families would use X-ray tables to tilt games in their favor and wear special high-tech contact lenses to read pre-marked cards. NBAPortland Trail BlazersFBIMiami Heat Share or comment on this article: NBA cracks down in the wake of Mafia gambling scandal as urgent memo is sent to teams and players Add comment
