NBA player and coach among dozens arrested in gambling probe tied to mafia

(Left to right) Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups (AP)

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025 - 17:37

Alanna Durkin Richer, Tim Reynolds and Philip Marcelo, Associated Press

An NBA player and coach have been arrested along with more than 30 other people in two criminal cases alleging sprawling schemes to rake in millions by rigging sports bets and poker games involving mafia families, authorities in the US said.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is charged in an indictment alleging a wide-ranging scheme to rig underground poker games that were backed by La Cosa Nostra crime families, authorities said.