A major illegal sports gambling scandal has rocked the professional sports world in the United States, leading to the arrest of several high-profile active and former athletes. The controversy has prompted calls for stricter regulation from legendary figures within the games.
NBA Stars Face Federal Charges in Betting Probe
Federal authorities have arrested three active sports figures, including Miami Heat forward Terry Rozier. The investigation also led to the arrest of former NBA player and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, along with Damon Jones. The arrests occurred in October, stemming from allegations of involvement in illicit gambling networks, some reportedly linked to organized crime.
The case against Rozier is particularly damning. He is accused of intentionally leaving a game early so that associates could profit from bets placed on his "under" performance props. According to reports from CBS Sports, Rozier was initially investigated by federal authorities for his alleged role in an illegal betting scheme back in 2023. Following a joint press conference by FBI Director Kash Patel and officials from the Eastern District of New York, Rozier faced suspension. Neither he nor his representatives have publicly commented on the allegations.
Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning's Urgent Plea for Regulation
The widening scandal has alarmed basketball icons. Alonzo Mourning, a Hall of Famer and Miami Heat legend, has publicly demanded that the NBA take decisive action. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mourning expressed his concern over the pervasive promotion of gambling.
"You need the front office to regulate it," Mourning stated. "Every network is promoting gambling right now. You get all types of gambling outlets now through all sports. You go to different arenas, and they're promoting gambling during the game."
He emphasized that the scandal damages the reputation of sports leagues and called for clean-up efforts. "It places a stigma on these sports leagues... I think the NBA — they’re gonna do what they need to do to clean up the image, as well as baseball, as well as football," he said. Mourning acknowledged that gambling is now a permanent fixture, making regulation even more critical.
MLB Also Grapples with Similar Gambling Allegations
The crisis is not confined to basketball. Major League Baseball (MLB) is confronting its own serious gambling issues. Recently, players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were charged with conspiring to manipulate game outcomes for betting profits.
According to the indictment, from May 2023 to June 2025, Clase and a co-conspirator agreed to "throw specific pitches" in MLB games. This was allegedly done so that bettors connected to them could profit from illegal wagers based on inside information. Ortiz is accused of joining the scheme in June 2025.
The widening net of the federal investigation has implicated roughly 30 individuals connected to gambling networks involving the mafia, which also ran illegal poker games. This underscores the scale and seriousness of the problem facing professional sports, where the integrity of competition is now under unprecedented threat from illegal betting syndicates.
