Published on: October 30, 2025, 02:34h.

Updated on: October 30, 2025, 02:35h.

• Rozier and Billups Suspended by NBA without Salaries
• Garnett Named in Reports Regarding FBI Poker Investigation, NFL’s Gates Involved as Well

According to journalist Pablo Torre, several professional athletes participated in private poker games organized by individuals currently under FBI investigation, including Kevin Garnett.

Allegations of Rigged Poker Games

The FBI recently announced the arrests of 34 individuals tied to manipulated poker games employing advanced technology such as x-ray tables that could read cards and rigged shuffling devices. FBI Director Kash Patel noted that this investigation, spanning several years, involved fraudulent activities amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

Notable NBA figures, including Chauncey Billups, who coaches the Portland Trail Blazers, were reportedly used to entice players attracted by the exclusivity of playing cards with sports stars. Billups’s legal team has strongly denied any accusations of wrongdoing.

The FBI’s indictment indicates that these rigged games also involved members of organized crime, specifically Italian-American families, who were allegedly brought in to ensure payment of debts.

Gates Responds to Allegations

Former NBA player Damon Jones was also implicated in the FBI indictments. It’s important to note that Garnett was not formally accused in any FBI charges. Tower’s reporting suggested that Clippers coach Ty Lue was involved in a manipulated poker game in Las Vegas in 2019 but clarified that he was not at the same table as Billups. Lue remains unindicted.

In the NFL realm, Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates was mentioned in connection with a rigged poker game in Miami, as reported by Torre. Gates’s spokesperson refuted these claims, emphasizing that he has not been charged with any misconduct.

Authorities revealed that these fraudulent poker operations began as early as 2019.

Connections to Organized Crime

The second segment of the FBI’s indictment involves current Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, who was arrested last week for purported participation in a sports betting scandal. Allegations from March 2023 assert that Rozier revealed to a co-defendant that he would withdraw from a Hornets game, enabling bettors to profit on $260,000 in prop bets.

Rozier allegedly communicated this information to a co-defendant, who then disseminated it among gamblers. Legal sportsbooks flagged suspicious activity that evening and stopped betting involving Rozier’s prop bets. Reports indicate money was counted at Rozier’s home in Philadelphia following the game.

According to ESPN, neither Rozier nor Billups will receive salaries during their suspension from the NBA.

Rozier is in the final year of a $26.6 million contract, which will be held in escrow. If he is acquitted and reinstated with the Heat, he will be compensated fully. Last season, Rozier averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over 25.9 minutes on the court.

Billups earns a salary of $7 million as Trail Blazers head coach but will not receive any payments until the FBI investigation concludes.

Commissioner Silver’s Statement

ESPN has also reported that Rozier was facing an $8 million tax lien from the IRS during the time of the questionable betting activity.

“Because bets were placed through regulated betting companies, they detected unusual behavior surrounding a specific game in March 2023,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated to NBA TV last week. “This raised our awareness, which we pursued transparently. While we noticed the irregular betting patterns, we could not substantiate any wrongdoing. Terry cooperated with the league office, providing his phone and participating in an interview.”

Rozier’s attorney has released a statement asserting that he does not engage in gambling.

Impact on Rozier’s Salary

“In the end, we determined there was insufficient evidence despite the unusual data. We collaborated closely with law enforcement. This investigation began over two years ago. Federal authorities possess subpoena powers and can impose threats that a league office cannot.”

“We have been working alongside them since. [Rozier] has yet to be convicted, but it certainly raises concerns. We aim to balance the protection of individuals’ rights with the necessity of thorough investigation.”

The FBI’s investigation is ongoing.

In a related case, ex-Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges of wire fraud and has been banned by the NBA for betting on games in which he participated, faces sentencing in December and could receive a maximum prison term of 20 years.