The Department of Justice has filed charges against Terry Rozier and Damon Jones for their alleged roles in a widespread betting scheme involving the NBA. The indictment details seven games where inside information about player injuries and team strategies was leaked to gamblers, enabling high-stakes wagers that resulted in substantial financial gains for the conspirators.
Among the games listed, Rozier is accused of faking an injury on March 23, 2023, to allow a friend to place bets based on the false information. The conspiracy allegedly led to wagers amounting to nearly $200,000, which the DOJ claims were won when Rozier did not play for the majority of the game. Jones, a former Lakers assistant coach, is charged with sharing information about a prominent player’s injury, which was not yet public, thereby influencing betting decisions in major games.
Other games mentioned include a Portland Trail Blazers–Chicago Bulls matchup where a co-conspirator allegedly shared that the Blazers would be resting key players for a better draft position. The alleged tip led to wagers exceeding $100,000, which reportedly turned into profits when the information was confirmed and the Cavaliers won. The DOJ also notes that another game involved a Magic player’s lineup change, which allowed a co-conspirator to bet successfully on the Cavaliers’ victory.
The indictment charges Rozier and Jones with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The NBA has suspended both players indefinitely and has stated its commitment to cooperating with the investigations to maintain the integrity of the game. The cases highlight the ongoing challenges of preventing insider information leaks and the potential consequences of such actions in professional sports.