Feds Open Probe into Terry Rozier Over Unusual Betting Patterns

It looks like the NBA may have another major betting scandal on its hands.

According to the Wall Street Journal, federal prosecutors are opening an investigation into a suspicious betting pattern involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. It will center around the NBA star’s time with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. The NBA said they investigated the incident after it happened but found no evidence of foul play.

If found guilty, Rozier could be facing a lifetime ban from the NBA, heavy fines, and even some time behind bars.

Rozier Alleged to Have Faked Injury

This federal investigation centers on a Hornets game on March 23, 2023. It was the end of a bad season for the Hornets, meaning the game had no stakes. Terry Rozier had a solid opening quarter but then exited with a foot injury. The guard didn’t return to the game and would miss the season's final eight games.

While that doesn’t seem unusual, bettors flocked to social media to complain about their prop bets involving the Hornets’ star. Those complaints grew louder when it was found that sportsbooks pulled props for Rozier a couple of hours before the game with no explanation.

The combination of those two events led to the NBA investigation. While the league found no wrongdoing, the Department of Justice isn’t sold.

Scars From Porter Scandal Remains

The Rozier investigation comes less than a year after the NBA handed Jontay Porter a lifetime ban. The Raptors player was faking injuries to ensure specific prop bets would hit. Several people involved in the scandal are now in jail as prosecutors uncovered their large and well-run operation.

Almost every sport has seen betting scandals, but Porters is the most notorious. With Rozier’s accusations coming just months later, concerns over the integrity of the NBA will increase among bettors and fans. If people can’t trust the results of the games, it could be enough to take the NBA down altogether.

Are Player Props in Danger?

Many states have now banned player prop bets for college athletics. NCAA President Charlie Baker has begged lawmakers to step in to end this bet type, citing an alarming uptick in harassment of athletes. This has led federal and state lawmakers to take action.

While the concern is mainly limited to college sports, it could soon include the pros. While athlete harassment is not as big a problem, pro leagues like the NBA need to find a way to protect their integrity. Most scandals have involved player props, which could lead to the ban of this type of bet.