NBA fans are reacting in different ways to many players and coaches being arrested recently for illegal gambling. More than 30 people have been arrested for gambling, including several members of mafia families, as per the FBI. The investigations for this have reportedly been going on for a number of years now, with the arrests shocking millions of fans.
One of those who has been arrested is Chauncey Billups, who coaches the Trail Blazers. While the news of the arrests themselves is pretty shocking, NBA fans are managing to bring some humor to the situation. Many are also hinting at other players who need to be arrested, with one fan bringing MLB’s golden boy, Shohei Ohtani, into the picture.
Ohtani was accused of losing more than $15 million in gambling. However, after merely one day of investigation, the blame went to his translator who is currently serving time for allegedly stealing the money from Ohtani’s account. There are still many who feel that the interpreter is innocent in all this and that Ohtani is guilty of gambling.
“SHOHEI YOU ARE NEXT” one fan pointed out.
SHOHEI YOU ARE NEXT
— ktb.kendrick (@ktbkendrick) October 23, 2025
“Gambling has ruined pro sports. Wouldn’t be surprised if players in every game in every sport are aware of spreads and their personal props and have people around them bet accordingly” another fan smartly said.
“Wonder if they started looking in the league offices yet or the refs (eyes emoji)” one more fan commented.
NBA Fans Call Out League For Promoting Sports Betting
While NBA fans are dealing with the recent news about many of their idols and their favorite teams illegally gambling, others are mocking the league itself. Basketball games often have sports betting ads placed in between, something which has been called out by many for a long time.
“This post brought to you by FanDuel and DraftKing, the official gaming partners of the NBA” one fan stated.
“This post brought to you by FanDuel and DraftKings, the official gaming partners of the NBA.”
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) October 23, 2025
“Breaking news: arrested for gambling. Also ESPN: ‘New users get $100 bonus bets!’(laughing with tears emoji x2)” another fan shared while posting a picture of their TV screen.
“What’s hilarious is that they’ll arrest them and then go back to plastering DraftKings and FanDuel all over the court and tv broadcast lmao almost like interlinking gambling and the game to this extent was bad” a fan rightly commented.
As of now, four different NBA teams have been announced in the illegal gambling case, including the Lakers and the Kings. The players themselves are yet to speak up on their respective arrests.
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