Published on: January 29, 2026, 10:01h.

Updated on: January 29, 2026, 10:02h.

• FBI’s investigation expands into illegal sports betting linked to NBA games
• Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier, a focal point of the case, maintains a not guilty plea
• Recent reports indicate that federal scrutiny now includes additional NBA games beyond last fall’s seven-game indictment

A New York Times investigation reveals that federal prosecutors are broadening their inquiry into illegal sports betting associated with the NBA, extending beyond the seven games cited in last fall’s Department of Justice indictment.

Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, has formally asserted his not guilty stance against accusations of manipulating his performance as a member of the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023 season, allegedly alerting gamblers to his intention to exit the game prematurely. This led to wagers amounting to $200,000 placed on “under” statistics for that match.

Illegal Gambling Investigation: Multiple Arrests

Last fall, Rozier was among six individuals apprehended in what federal authorities describe as conspiratorial activities involving wire fraud and money laundering. These individuals are accused of utilizing insider information from NBA players and coaches for personal gain in unauthorized betting operations.

The indictment focuses on seven games, including the March 23, 2023 game involving the Hornets, a March 24, 2023 match with the Portland Trail Blazers, an April 6, 2023 game against the Orlando Magic, as well as games on February 9 and January 15, 2024 featuring the Los Angeles Lakers, and two games involving the Toronto Raptors on January 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024. The indictment claims insider tips were given to gamblers by an “NBA coach at the time,” an “inside connection to then Orlando Magic player” Damon Jones, and Rozier.

Federal Investigation Intensifies

According to reports, government officials are expanding their focus to other games that may have involved Rozier and former Raptors player Jontay Porter, who has entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to commit wire fraud after opting out of competition in those Raptors games. Porter is currently awaiting sentencing and received an NBA suspension in 2024.

The extent of the additional games under investigation and whether further players are involved remains undisclosed, as highlighted in the report. Last week, a federal judge in Brooklyn imposed a sentence on Timothy McCormack, a gambler connected to this conspiracy, marking the first sentencing tied to the cases involving Rozier and Porter.

Awaiting Sentencing: Porter’s Case

McCormack, who spoke candidly about his gambling addiction, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after placing wagers on the seven mentioned games and was sentenced to two years in prison. A government source noted to the Times that the investigation continues, and McCormack had involved himself in betting on additional games yet to be publicly disclosed.

Rozier’s arrest in October formed part of a major FBI initiative that encompassed not only the six individuals in Rozier’s indictment but also implicated an alleged illegal poker operation involving Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and others.

This poker scheme purportedly involved members of organized crime factions, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese families. The operation utilized rigged games facilitated by a shuffle machine capable of card counting and an X-ray device reading cards face down on the table, resulting in significant losses for participants.

Both Rozier and Billups have been placed on administrative leave by the NBA amid ongoing investigations.