Federal investigation uncovers alleged game-fixing in basketball
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 31, 2025, 21:57 IST
( Image credit : AP )
A federal investigation is probing allegations of game-fixing in professional and college basketball, focusing on illicit gambling activities. Key figures include banned NBA player Jontay Porter and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Authorities are examining potential manipulation of player performances and betting activities, particularly in college basketball, which could lead to indictments and trials.
A federal investigation is currently underway, delving into allegations of game-fixing in professional and college basketball. According to a report by Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated, authorities are probing potential manipulation of games, a move that could lead to indictments and trials as the case unfolds.
At the center of this investigation is the issue of gambling in sports—a growing concern since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to allow state-by-state legalization of sports betting. While the NBA and other professional leagues have taken steps to monitor betting activity, this latest probe suggests that illicit schemes may have infiltrated the game at multiple levels.
One of the key figures in the investigation is Jontay Porter, a former NBA player who was banned for life in 2024 after it was discovered that he manipulated his own performance to affect betting outcomes. The investigation also includes Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who came under scrutiny for betting-related activity dating back to 2023 when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. The Wall Street Journal first reported Rozier’s potential involvement, prompting further examination by law enforcement.
The NBA had previously conducted its own inquiry into Rozier’s situation. "In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans," said NBA spokesman Mike Bass in a statement. "The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation."
Beyond the professional level, the federal investigation is also focusing on college basketball, with as many as seven programs potentially implicated. Authorities are seeking to determine whether players placed bets on their own games or attempted to manipulate outcomes during the 2023-24 season. Among the players under scrutiny is former Temple University guard Hysier “Fabb” Miller.
At the core of these allegations are proposition bets—or prop bets—which allow wagers on individual player performances rather than overall game outcomes. While rigging an entire game is difficult, a single player can subtly alter performance metrics, such as feigning an injury or underperforming, to influence betting results.
The NFL, in contrast, has largely avoided a major gambling scandal in recent years, despite widespread concerns about the intersection of sports and legalized betting. However, experts warn that with younger athletes growing up in an era where sports betting is normalized, the risks of future scandals remain high.
This federal investigation underscores the challenges facing both professional leagues and collegiate programs in maintaining the integrity of the game. As authorities dig deeper into these allegations, the sports world awaits the outcome—one that could have lasting repercussions for the future of sports betting and competitive fairness.
At the center of this investigation is the issue of gambling in sports—a growing concern since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to allow state-by-state legalization of sports betting. While the NBA and other professional leagues have taken steps to monitor betting activity, this latest probe suggests that illicit schemes may have infiltrated the game at multiple levels.
One of the key figures in the investigation is Jontay Porter, a former NBA player who was banned for life in 2024 after it was discovered that he manipulated his own performance to affect betting outcomes. The investigation also includes Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who came under scrutiny for betting-related activity dating back to 2023 when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. The Wall Street Journal first reported Rozier’s potential involvement, prompting further examination by law enforcement.
The NBA had previously conducted its own inquiry into Rozier’s situation. "In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans," said NBA spokesman Mike Bass in a statement. "The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation."
Beyond the professional level, the federal investigation is also focusing on college basketball, with as many as seven programs potentially implicated. Authorities are seeking to determine whether players placed bets on their own games or attempted to manipulate outcomes during the 2023-24 season. Among the players under scrutiny is former Temple University guard Hysier “Fabb” Miller.
At the core of these allegations are proposition bets—or prop bets—which allow wagers on individual player performances rather than overall game outcomes. While rigging an entire game is difficult, a single player can subtly alter performance metrics, such as feigning an injury or underperforming, to influence betting results.
The NFL, in contrast, has largely avoided a major gambling scandal in recent years, despite widespread concerns about the intersection of sports and legalized betting. However, experts warn that with younger athletes growing up in an era where sports betting is normalized, the risks of future scandals remain high.
This federal investigation underscores the challenges facing both professional leagues and collegiate programs in maintaining the integrity of the game. As authorities dig deeper into these allegations, the sports world awaits the outcome—one that could have lasting repercussions for the future of sports betting and competitive fairness.