NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups arrested in federal illegal gambling probe
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Portland Trail Blazers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups was arrested Thursday morning as part of a sprawling federal investigation into illegal gambling operations that allegedly involved members of organized crime and several current and former NBA players.
According to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Billups faces multiple felony charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The arrest unfolded just hours after Portland’s season-opening loss, when agents detained Billups at his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Details of the Allegations
Federal prosecutors say Billups participated in high-stakes poker games across cities such as Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons, where players were allegedly defrauded through rigged shuffling machines, marked cards, and X-ray-assisted lenses. The games were reportedly orchestrated by members of La Cosa Nostra, also known as the Mafia.
Officials allege that Billups’ celebrity status helped lend credibility to the operation, which federal investigators estimate generated millions of dollars in illicit profits. In addition, prosecutors accuse Billups of acting as a conduit between game organizers and other NBA insiders.
A companion indictment accuses participants in the same network of using non-public information about NBA games to influence sports bets for financial gain. That separate case led to the arrest of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Although Billups was not named in that indictment, the description of a “co-conspirator in Oregon” closely matches his profile as a former player-turned-coach.
Court Appearance and Conditions
Billups appeared in federal court in Portland Thursday afternoon. The judge released him on bond, with conditions that include surrendering his passport and a ban on gambling or traveling outside the U.S. before his next hearing, scheduled for November 24 in Brooklyn federal court.
His attorney, Chris Heywood, issued a defiant statement:
“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the government is accusing him of is to believe he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game.”
Fallout for the Trail Blazers and the NBA
The NBA placed Billups on immediate leave, citing the severity of the indictments. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness. The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said in a statement.
The Portland Trail Blazers announced that assistant coach Tiago Splitter, a former San Antonio Spurs champion, will serve as interim head coach while the investigation continues. “We are aware of the allegations involving Chauncey Billups and are fully cooperating with federal authorities,” the organization said.
Friday night, the Blazers played their first game under Splitter, defeating the Golden State Warriors 139–119. Players described the locker room mood as “somber but supportive,” with several expressing shock and sympathy for Billups and his family.
Background on Billups
Billups, 49, is one of the most respected names in basketball. A five-time NBA All-Star and 2004 Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 before entering his fourth season as Portland’s head coach.
Known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances, Billups built a reputation for leadership and composure — qualities now under intense scrutiny as he faces one of the most serious scandals in recent NBA history.
Analysts warn that the case highlights the growing risks of corruption as legal sports betting expands nationwide. According to the American Gaming Association, more than 450 billion dollars were wagered illegally in the U.S. last year, underscoring the blurred line between legal gaming and criminal manipulation.
Billups will remain on leave as he prepares for his court appearance next month, with the NBA and federal investigators continuing to probe the depth of the alleged gambling network.
