Chauncey Billups Arrested in Major FBI Gambling Investigation
By Rob Reinhart
One of the most unexpected and chilling developments in the NBA’s recent history unfolded Thursday when Hall-of-Famer and current head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested by federal authorities in a sweeping investigation into illegal gambling and organized-crime-linked poker schemes.
What We Know
According to prosecutors, Billups is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The case involves two overlapping but separate criminal schemes:
A high‐stakes, rigged poker game operation backed by major organized-crime families, including the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese families. Billups is named in documents as one of the participants (“Face Cards”) who helped draw wealthy players into the rigged games.
A sports‐betting scheme involving insider information about NBA teams and players, though Billups was not charged in that part of the case.
Federal authorities say the poker ring used tampered shufflers, “X-ray” tables, and other technological methods to cheat unsuspecting gamblers of at least $7 million in the rigged games.
Immediate Fallout
The Portland Trail Blazers placed Billups on administrative leave, and assistant coach Tiago Splitter has been named interim head coach.
The NBA issued a statement affirming its cooperation with authorities and reaffirming that maintaining the integrity of the game remains a top priority.
Following a somber mood among players and staff, the Trail Blazers managed a win under Splitter’s leadership—an early test in a tumultuous period for the franchise.
Looking Ahead
The legal process will play out over the coming months, possibly years. Billups has denied any wrongdoing and his attorney stated:
“To believe Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his hall-of-fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom.”
From an NBA perspective:
The Trail Blazers must navigate this while maintaining performance and stability in a fragile moment.
The league must manage reputational risk and ensure this kind of alleged activity does not undermine fan trust or the competitive integrity of games.
Legal and regulatory scrutiny of professional sports gambling is likely to spike.
For a man once known as “Mr. Big Shot,” this arrest marks one of the steepest falls in NBA history—from celebrated player and head coach to a defendant in a major federal criminal investigation. The investigation’s implications go far beyond one individual—they tug at the very threads of trust, fairness and transparency in professional sports.