WASHINGTON (TNND) — Thursday's [NBA gambling](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/nba-gambling-bust-suspects-allegedly-used-x-ray-tables-hidden-cameras-to-steal-millions-face-cards-kash-patel#) and sports rigging indictments, including the Miami Heat's Terry Rozier and former player/current coach Chauncey Billups, are now sending shockwaves across the nation.
As details continue to develop, many are beginning to speculate that this could just be the tip of the iceberg, with more busts on the way.
> Technology has made this so convenient to do, that it's absolutely inevitable. So yeah. top of the iceberg type stuff," said Michael Lewis, author of 'Fandom Analytics' and a professor in Emory University's Goizueta Business School.
Lewis told The National News Desk, sports gambling has advanced to such a degree, it was only a matter of time before more people would try and take advantage.
> This system is so easy to manipulate and the incentives are so clear that it was absolutely inevitable that we would get to this," Lewis said.
Over the years, sports gambling has become much more widespread. As of late 2025, 38 states legalized sports gambling in some form, including over two dozen that allow both online and retail betting. But with more access comes more investigations. Since the Supreme Court declared bans on sports gambling unconstitutional in 2018, at least 23 professional players or coaches have been suspended or banned related to betting violations. Former Federal Prosecutor and President of West Coast Trial Lawyers, Neama Rahmani, told us, the federal government is not playing games.
> The DOJ is sending a loud and clear message to the NBA and other professional sports leagues," Rahmani said.
In response to the indictments, the NFL issued a reminder about its gambling policy on Friday to all players and club personnel. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who was caught in a gambling scandal over 15 years ago, also spoke out Thursday. Saying he thinks the collegiate level could be next.
> You have these young athletes who aren't going to make it to the next level and somebody is going to offer them money to fix a game and only win by 12 (points) rather than 15 (points) because they're going to need that money in order to be able to support their family," Donaghy told News Nation.
According to the American Gaming Association, the sports betting industry posted a record $13.7 billion in revenue in 2024. But that number is expected to grow to at least $17.2 billion in 2025.