NBA Intensifies Betting Probe Demanding Team Records

The National Basketball Association has intensified its investigation into illegal sports betting by demanding cell phones, emails, and other records from multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, as federal charges against several league figures continue to unfold.

The probe, which gained momentum following arrests in late October, stems from allegations of game-fixing, insider betting, and rigged poker games with ties to organized crime. Federal authorities charged Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former Lakers associate Damon Jones with involvement in these activities. Jones, who served as an unofficial shooting coach for the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court on November 6. Prosecutors allege that Jones exploited his access to team information to sell confidential details to gamblers on at least two occasions.

In one case, on February 9, 2023, Jones learned that a prominent Lakers player, referred to as Player 3 in court documents, would miss a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He reportedly instructed an associate to place a large bet on Milwaukee before...