A professional bettor placed 30 wagers totalling $13,759 on unders involving Terry Rozier’s stats during a March 2023 NBA game, winning every bet after Rozier exited early due to a foot issue.
The betting spree, carried out over 46 minutes at Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, raised red flags across multiple sportsbooks in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to documents obtained by ESPN.
Rozier, then with the Charlotte Hornets, left the game 10 minutes in, finishing with 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists—all below betting lines. He was not on the Hornets’ pregame injury report and didn’t play again that season.
The NBA later found no rule violations, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is continuing a federal investigation.
Initially, Caesars refused to pay the winnings, citing possible insider information. However, after no evidence of wrongdoing emerged, the Mississippi Gaming Commission directed the casino to honour the tickets. The bettor received a net payout of $13,017.70.
Rozier has not been charged and denies any involvement. His attorney said the player met with NBA and FBI officials multiple times and was cleared in 2023. The case is part of a wider probe that resulted in former Raptors centre Jontay Porter being banned from the NBA after pleading guilty to manipulating games for betting purposes.
Some betting accounts tied to the Porter case also placed bets on Rozier props. However, Rozier’s legal team insists he has no connection to those involved. The investigation has also expanded to include other NBA players, including Malik Beasley, who has not been charged.
While the case remains open, Rozier’s representatives say he is not a target and expect the investigation to reaffirm his innocence.
Photo: Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images
