Overview
- Local public‑health leaders and Massachusetts Sen. John Keenan renewed pushes to ban player prop bets, curb in‑game wagering, tighten advertising, and require stronger platform safeguards under a proposed Bettor Health Act.
- Federal filings describe two linked probes: alleged insider tipping on player availability for profitable prop bets and a mafia‑supported, tech‑assisted ring that rigged high‑stakes poker games using tools such as X‑ray tables and marked‑card glasses.
- Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former coach/player Damon Jones were arrested in October; Billups was placed on leave as all three deny wrongdoing while cases proceed.
- Investigators allege Rozier signaled an early exit from a 2023 game enabling successful “under” wagers, while Jones is accused of sharing pre‑public player information; prosecutors say roughly $7 million was siphoned through rigged poker games.
- DraftKings said regulated markets are best for detecting misconduct and characterized sportsbooks as victims in the case, as Massachusetts data show $18.2 billion wagered since 2023 with an uptick in problem‑gambling hotline calls.