"He said one of the investigations involves insider sports betting, while the second one involves the rigging of poker games across the US. "The fraud is mind boggling," Patel said. "We're talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation." Patel said that the fraud was backed by the La Cosa Nostra crime families."
"Authorities said Rozier was one of NBA insiders who provided non-public information about how they would perform to criminal partners, who then used other bettors to use the information given to them to make gains based on the tips received. In one case, which took place in March 2023, Rozier told his contacts that he would leave a game early, supposedly due to an injury, which resulted in them placing bets on the player not reaching his expected statistics, according to officials."
"Among those arrested are Chauncy Billups, 49, a member of the league's Hall of Fame and the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as 31-year-old Terry Rozier, who plays for the Miami Heat. The second investigation, involving Billups, revolves around the rigging of poker games, with the players being promised they would play against celebrities. Sophisticated technology was used, including fraudulent card shufflers and x-ray tables."
More than 30 people have been charged in two related federal gambling investigations involving the NBA and organized crime. The schemes generated tens of millions of dollars through wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and illegal gambling. One investigation centers on insider sports betting by NBA insiders who provided non-public performance information to criminal partners, who then used bettors to convert tips into illicit wagers. One instance involved a player who informed contacts he would leave a March 2023 game early, leading to bets on his underperformance. The second investigation centers on rigged poker games using fraudulent card shufflers and x-ray tables, with players promised contests against celebrities. Some defendants face charges in both probes.
Read at www.dw.com
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