Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are under investigation over illegal betting
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States has arrested Terry Rozier, a guard of the Miami Heat basketball team and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups following a probe into illegal sports betting in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
This comes after the FBI uncovered a gambling operation in which the individuals allegedly influenced and rigged betting outcomes and participated in mafia-linked poker games.
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Thirty-one-year-old Rozier was among six people arrested for alleged irregularities in betting, including accusations of faking injuries to manipulate betting outcomes.
Billups, a Hall of Fame player turned coach, was among 31 individuals arrested in a separate illegal poker case involving retired players and individuals believed to be connected to organised crime.
Prosecutors revealed that the case involved four of the five major crime families in New York and exposed a scheme to lure victims into rigged poker games with high-profile sports stars before stealing millions of dollars.
Authorities reported the use of advanced technology, including special contact lenses and glasses capable of reading pre-marked cards, as well as an X-ray table.
In response to the incident, the NBA has placed both individuals on leave until the case is resolved to protect the integrity of the league.
Lawyers for both Rozier and Billups have denied the allegations and stated that they are prepared to defend themselves in court.
According to US media reports, Rozier was released on bail after offering his Florida home, valued at $6 million (£4.5 million), as collateral. Billups is expected to prepare a substantial bond for his release.
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