Curry not worried about NBA integrity despite arrests over gambling

Stephen Curry, the star of the Golden State Warriors, claims that despite an FBI investigation into illegal sports betting, he “wouldn’t worry” about the integrity of the NBA.

Hundreds of people have been detained as part of a comprehensive investigation that also includes allegedly rigged, mafia-linked poker games, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.

Federal prosecutors released the names of Rozier and Billups in separate indictments on Thursday. The allegations are disputed by both men.

Rozier, 31, is one of six people who have been detained for alleged gambling id laws. NBA players are accused of fabricating injuries to influence gambling trends, among others.

Since the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, there has been concern about the impact of gambling on the integrity of American sports. In fact, most US states have legalized sports betting.

According to Curry, who has twice been the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, “everyone is very aware of what to do, what not to do, and understanding the landscape of sports in general.”

“This is new territory for everyone, not just an NBA thing.” So, overall, I believe we all have a lot of responsibility to take.

Whatever happens, we let the situation play out, and the integrity of the game is fine. But I wouldn’t be too concerned about that.

Draymond Green, the team’s star, said, “I was shocked. The individuals involved are at a difficult point, and the league is at a difficult point.

However, I won’t sit here and say, “Man, you all partner with a gambling company, you open a can of worms.” Whether or not partnerships with gambling companies can open those can of worms.

Before his arrest, Billups oversaw his team’s defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prior to his arrest, Rozier was not present for the Heat’s defeat to the Magic in Orlando.

Damon Jones, a former NBA player and coach, was also detained as part of the investigation, which identified seven games that occurred between February 2023 and March 2024.

Rozier is alleged to have been involved in leaking insider information and fabricating injuries to affect the Charlotte Hornets’ and New Orleans Pelicans’ betting odds in March 2023. Rozier participated in that match while a Hornets player at the time.

Jones, who retired from professional football in 2012, is alleged to have played in two games as part of the scheme, Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023, Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder in January 2024.

The second indictment, which involved a total of 31 defendants, including Billups, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, has to do with illegal poker games and has ties to organized crime.

Robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling are just a few examples of those charges.

Billups and Rozier both appeared in court on Thursday and were given immediate leave of absence from their positions by the NBA prior to their court appearances. On Friday, both Miami and Portland play.

Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, called for stricter gambling laws in the US earlier this week.

The commissioner has the authority to “direct the dismissal and perpetual disqualification” of any player who offers, consents, conspires, assists, or attempts to cause any game of basketball to end elsewhere than on its merits, according to Article 35 of the NBA Constitution.