NBA gambling scandal update: Kevin Garnett’s name emerges as he finds himself at the center of the betting controversy | NBA News
After the NBA‘s story about illicit gambling took a turn on Thursday, Kevin Garnett recently found himself in hot water. The FBI detained many individuals connected to its sports betting investigation shortly after this. The games also featured NBA icon Kevin Garnett, who is not named in the indictment and has not been charged with any wrongdoing, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to PokerNews. The sources, who wished to remain anonymous, did not participate in the games.
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett linked to private poker games as FBI probe deepens in the NBA
Although there seem to be gambling scandals in every sport, the FBI’s inquiry appears to be concentrated on the NBA. The FBI declared that it was investigating illegal poker activities and sports betting, two distinct investigations that are still underway.Since early 2025, when it was announced that the FBI was investigating players for possible involvement in unlawful betting activities, this investigation has hung over the league. The FBI took action at last on Thursday, detaining a number of players involved in the investigation, both past and present.Former NBA player and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA guard Damon Jones were all implicated by federal authorities on Thursday in a multi-year poker cheating operation that defrauded victims of at least $7,150,000.Rozier was taken into custody by the FBI early on Thursday. ESPN’s Shams Charania claimed he was cleared in June, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. He was under investigation for unlawful sports betting earlier in 2025.Numerous former professional athletes played in private poker games hosted by those charged by the Department of Justice, according to investigative writer Pablo Torre. Kevin Garnett, a former star for the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves, is one player who is allegedly engaged. According to Torre, Garnett went to a game in 2019.Garnett’s participation in games in 2019 was first reported by Poker News. Federal investigators have not accused the Basketball Hall of Famer of any wrongdoing, and he is not mentioned in the indictment.
Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups arrested as federal probe into NBA betting schemes intensifies
Terry Rozier was also in difficulty, in addition to Kevin Garnett. The guard and Chauncey Billups, a former NBA player and current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, have been arrested in connection with the federal betting probe. NBC News reports that the two were taken into custody on Thursday. Rozier is currently under investigation by federal authorities for operating an illegal sports betting operation, even though he has a net worth of $10 million. The arrest, which has been verified by a number of sources, adds another chapter to the escalating issue that has surrounded Rozier since 2023 and now threatens the NBA. Investigators also say the strategy impacted games for the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Terry Rozier also found himself in the same situation (Image via NBA)
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel stated that over 30 people had been taken into custody. The NBA claims that both were immediately placed on leave by their respective organizations. The NBA said in a statement:“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today.. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”Four months after another NBA star, Gilbert Arenas, was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for allegedly helping to run illegal, high-stakes poker games out of Arenas’ Los Angeles area home, Billups is being investigated by law enforcement.Also read: NBA gambling scandal: FBI probe sends shockwaves through the league as controversy unfolds across multiple teams
