Federal Prosecutors Prepare New Charges Against NBA Guard in Gambling Scandal

Clear Facts

• Federal prosecutors announced plans to file superseding charges of bribery in sports and honest services wire fraud against former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier
• Rozier allegedly told a childhood friend he would remove himself early from a March 2023 game, enabling bettors to profit from wagers on his poor performance
• More than 30 people, including NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, were swept up in FBI probes into alleged illegal gambling with ties to organized crime families

Federal prosecutors announced Monday they intend to seek additional charges against NBA player Terry Rozier in the gambling scandal that shook professional basketball during the 2025-26 season. During a court hearing, prosecutors revealed they possess evidence showing the former Miami Heat guard solicited and received bribes as part of the alleged gambling scheme.

The new superseding charges would include bribery in sports and honest services wire fraud. Prosecutors argue these additional charges reflect the full scope of Rozier’s alleged criminal conduct.

Rozier’s legal team has moved to dismiss the existing charges, arguing the wire fraud charge relies on a legal theory the Supreme Court rejected two years ago. His attorneys also claim the government failed to adequately prove money laundering conspiracy allegations.

“Our motion to dismiss is based on the idea that they picked an invalid legal theory to prosecute Terry Rozier,” Rozier’s lawyer Jim Trusty told ESPN.

“We’ll see what they do to try to fix that in the superseding indictment, but I expect we’ll have problems with it.”

Prosecutors countered that the defendants engaged in deliberate deception to steal money, characterizing it as a textbook wire fraud case. They maintain their evidence demonstrates clear criminal wrongdoing.

The charges stem from Rozier’s alleged involvement in a scheme surrounding a 2023 game in which he played less than 10 minutes, citing a foot injury. Multiple individuals placed high-stakes wagers on Rozier to perform poorly before the game—all of whom won their bets.

According to the indictment, Rozier informed a childhood friend he would remove himself early from a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. The friend allegedly shared this insider information with bettors for profit, who then placed wagers on the under of certain Rozier statistics.

Neither Hornets officials nor betting companies were informed of Rozier’s plan, according to the Department of Justice. The Hornets later traded Rozier to the Heat, who waived him earlier this month.

Rozier represents just one figure in a sprawling investigation that has ensnared more than 30 people. NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were also caught up in FBI probes into alleged illegal gambling with connections to organized crime families.

Billups and Jones allegedly participated in rigged poker games. Jones faces additional allegations of leaking non-public information about NBA games to give associates a competitive advantage in placing wagers.

Damon Jones is expected to enter a guilty plea to charges on Tuesday. The case continues to unfold as prosecutors build their evidence against Rozier and other defendants.

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