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The FBI announced an illegal sports betting scheme involving four NBA teams and four Mafia crime families netted over 30 arrests on Thursday in a historic bust, including Portland Trailblozers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones. Scroll down for all the latest headlines from the world of gambling and sports as well as our top trending stories and searches.
Thirty one people — including members of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese mafia families — have been arrested in connection to the scheme.
This unprecedented event highlights growing concerns about gambling in sports.
But few are shedding any tears for the NBA and most observers believe the league brought this all on themselves by aligning with betting companies.
Dave Mason of BetOnline, a company that does not do business with any sports league, explained Thursday how his company has stayed clear of these types of scandals over the past 26 years they've been in business.
"Unfortunately we aren't surprised about the Terry Rozier and Damon Jones arrests. With the increased interest in props betting and Same Game Parlays over the last handful of years, it's opened the door for this type of behavior. We've been surprised about the high limits some newer books offer on these types of wagers. This is a big reason why we don't offer super-high limits on player props as it can open the door for people with inside information betting on a particular side."
As Vice noted, the Internet can’t stop making jokes about the NBA gambling scandal.
One person on X wrote:
"Chauncey Billups would pull players for entire halfs. I just thought he was fucking bad at coaching."
Another pointed out how heavily gambling ads are featured in sports coverage nowadays.
"I for one am shocked that NBA employees are gambling. How did they get sucked into that kind of activity?
"I really hope they address this on the FanDuel Pregame show sponsored by bet365, right before the big game at DraftKings arena."
The American Gaming Association (AGA), which is quick to lash out at all forms of so-called "unregulated" gambling sites, appeared not to come to terms with the idea that this scandal is occurring under the watch of a "regulated" market.
CEO, Bill Miller, said: “Today’s revelations are a stark reminder of the pervasive and predatory illegal market, ensnaring countless individuals and operating in the shadows.
“It is important to recognize that the regulated legal market delivers transparency, oversight, and collaboration with authorities that assists in bringing these bad actors to light.”
Others on the internet mocked ESPN's reporting on the matter while a banner for their own sportsbook, ESPN Bet, appeared at the bottom of the screen.
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Continuing Coverage of Thursday's Sweeping Arrests in High Profile Gambling Ring Leading to Arrests of NBA Players, Coach
- BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason's Take on Sweeping Arrests: Coming Soon - Stay Tuned(Go Here to Listen) (Go Here to Watch)
- FBI Arrests 30+ in NBA Gambling Ring Tied to Mafia and Game Rigging - The FBI arrested over 30 individuals, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA coach Damon Jones, in a multi-year investigation spanning 11 states that uncovered illegal betting on rigged NBA games and mafia-backed poker operations. Authorities revealed schemes involving insider injury information, manipulated player performances, and rigged equipment like X-ray tables, generating millions in illicit profits funneled to organized crime families such as the Bonanno and Gambino. The NBA placed the implicated players and coaches on administrative leave and is cooperating with federal investigators amid its expanding legal sports betting partnerships.
- Mafia Rigged Poker Games? The Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese mafia families were allegedly involved in backing rigged poker games to scam victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, officials announced.
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(Cryptocurrencies, Crime) - Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Amid Crypto Ties - President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, on Wednesday, nullifying his 2023 conviction for anti-money laundering violations and four-month prison sentence. The White House described the pardon as a rejection of the prior administration's cryptocurrency crackdown, aligning with Trump's plans for a national Bitcoin reserve and reduced regulations. Reports connect the decision to Binance's support for the Trump family's World Liberty Financial venture, with critics alleging quid pro quo while crypto leaders praise it as a boost for innovation; BNB rose 5% following the announcement.
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(Gambling News) - NBA Commisioner Speaks Out Agains Player Performance Prop Bets - Once a vocal supporter of legalizing sports betting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is now calling for stronger regulation to safeguard the integrity of the game, protect players, and curb the negative behaviors tied to betting. (source: Gambling911) -
Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com
