US sports leagues were quick to capitalize on the multi-billion-dollar boom in legalized betting, but the recent arrests of an NBA coach and player in two major federal investigations highlight the risks of their partnerships with the gambling industry.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups was arrested for allegedly participating in rigged, illegal poker games linked to Mafia crime families, according to prosecutors.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was charged with manipulating his in-game performance for bettors’ benefit, while former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was charged in both cases.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the situation as “a criminal enterprise that envelopes both the NBA and La Cosa Nostra,” calling the scale of the fraud “mind-boggling.”
For many observers, this development is not entirely surprising, given the leagues’ increasingly close ties to the booming sports betting industry.
“Smartphone gambling makes it incredibly easy for anyone to place a bet within seconds,” said Dr. Luke Clark, psychology professor and director of the Centre for Gambling Research at the University of British Columbia.
Clark added that gambling has become normalized in sports, not just for fans but also for athletes operating in an environment “saturated with betting opportunities.”
“Teams are partnered with gambling firms, major leagues have sponsorships, and gambling data is now embedded in sports broadcasts,” he said. “Players and coaches are in a very exposed position.”
Before 2018, sports betting was illegal in most U.S. states, and professional leagues largely distanced themselves from underground bookmakers and offshore betting platforms.
That changed after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1992 federal law banning commercial sports betting in most states. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was an early supporter, arguing in a 2014 New York Times op-ed that betting should be “brought out of the underground and into the sunlight” where it could be regulated.
Since then, leagues have rushed to secure their share of the profits. According to the American Gaming Association, commercial sports betting revenue in the U.S. reached $10 billion through August 2025 — an 18.9% increase from the previous year.
Yet the latest scandals have overshadowed what should have been a celebratory start to the NBA season under a new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal.
Players around the league expressed shock at the arrests but quickly turned attention to the growing problem of online abuse from frustrated bettors.
The rise of prop bets — wagers on specific in-game outcomes like points, assists, or even a player’s first three-point attempt — has changed fan behavior and opened new avenues for manipulation.
“We feel it when we’re on the court,” said Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic. “Before it was, ‘Vuc, go get the win.’ Now it’s ‘Hey, I need you to get 10 rebounds for my parlay.’ Honestly, it pisses me off — it’s disrespectful to the game.”
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown urged the league to do more to help players navigate this new reality.
“It creates a negative narrative around the game and the players when money is involved,” he said.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he still believes the game’s integrity is intact, but teammate Al Horford insisted the league must do more “to protect players and do better.
