- Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is the latest athlete to be under suspicion of sports betting manipulation
- The Wall Street Journal reported Rozier is under investigation from federal prosecutors
- According to the report, Rozier’s performance in a 2023 game is being investigated
Another NBA player is being investigated for potentially manipulating his performance during a game for the purposes of sports betting.
According to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, veteran NBA guard Terry Rozier, who is currently a member of the Miami Heat, is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for potentially manipulating a 2023 game performance as part of an illegal sports betting ring.
The report notes that several members of the illegal sports betting ring that influenced former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter to manipulate his game performance may have also had inside information on the Rozier game in question.
Rozier has not yet been charged with any wrongdoing, according to the report.
2023 Game in Question
The game being investigated by federal authorities took place on March 23, 2023, when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier played less than 10 minutes in the game after leaving with what was described as a foot injury. Rozier averaged more than 35 minutes a game that season.
Rozier did not play another game for the Hornets that season. He most recently played 33 minutes for the Heat on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in a game against the Cavaliers and scored 22 points.
According to a report from The Athletic, the NBA investigated the game after suspicious betting patterns were reported, but did not find any 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,” NBA Spokesperson Mike Bass told The Athletic.
Rozier is the second NBA player in the last year to come under investigation for his alleged role in a sports betting scandal. Former Toronto Raptors center Porter was banned from basketball after being a part of an illegal sports betting ring and manipulating his game performances.
Porter Banned for Life
The NBA banned Porter for life this past April, after an investigation found the two-way backup forward/center provided a sports bettor with confidential information, limited his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and bet on several NBA games.
Porter was found to have bet against the Raptors in a parlay while he traveled, but did not play, with the team earlier this year.
Most concerning, however, was news that broke in June that Porter faked at least two injuries so he could leave games early. He informed several individuals that he owed large gambling debts to about his plan so they could place several large “under” bets on his performance.
Porter eventually pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He’ll be sentenced on Dec. 18 and could face between three-and-a-half to four years in prison.
The NBA has recently launched an investigation into veteran player Terry Rozier for alleged sports betting manipulation. Rozier, who currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets, is being accused of using insider information to gain an unfair advantage in his sports betting activities.
The allegations against Rozier first came to light when several online sportsbooks reported suspicious betting patterns involving the Hornets’ games. It is believed that Rozier may have been placing bets on games in which he was playing, using his knowledge of the team’s strategies and game plans to influence the outcome.
Sports betting manipulation is a serious offense that can have far-reaching consequences for both the individual involved and the integrity of the sport as a whole. If Rozier is found guilty of these allegations, he could face severe penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the NBA.
The NBA takes allegations of sports betting manipulation very seriously and has a strict policy in place to prevent and punish such behavior. The league works closely with law enforcement agencies and sports betting regulators to investigate any suspicious activity and ensure that the integrity of the game is maintained.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of sports betting manipulation in various sports leagues around the world. These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of fair play and honesty in sports, and the need for stringent measures to prevent and punish any attempts to manipulate the outcome of games.
As the investigation into Terry Rozier continues, it is important for fans and players alike to remember the importance of integrity in sports and to report any suspicious behavior that may compromise the fairness of the game. Only by working together to uphold these values can we ensure that sports remain a source of entertainment and inspiration for fans around the world.
