Casino City’s Friday Five: NBA gambling scandal and DraftKings Prediction edition

The basketball world was hit with breaking news yesterday morning as several coaches and players were arrested by the FBI for connection to an alleged betting ring. In addition, we have news of DraftKings Prediction getting prepared to launch, a massive fine from the UKGC, a jackpot win from Las Vegas, and an Atlantic City hotel accepting reservations.

Let’s begin with some news from the Strip:

5. Las Vegas local wins $210,000 at The STRAT
Excitement reached new heights at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower when a Las Vegas local hit big on 18 October. Tamara struck gold while playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em, winning a $210,742 jackpot.

The winning hand was part of the BSX Triple Diamond progressive jackpot feature, available on select table games including Ultimate Texas Hold’em and blackjack. The Bonus Spin Xtreme side bet system gives players the opportunity to win big by placing a $5 wager and hitting a qualifying hand, such as a straight or better, on the community cards. Qualifiers earn a spin on the BSX wheel for a chance to claim the coveted Triple Diamond progressive jackpot.

4. Tropicana Atlantic City’s Solana Tower accepting reservations
Earlier this week, Tropicana Atlantic City announced that the newly renovated Solana Tower is now accepting reservations, with the first guest stays beginning in January 2026.

The Solana Tower, located in the resort’s west wing, has undergone an extensive transformation, reimagining 598 rooms and suites with a coastal-inspired design.

“We’re excited to welcome guests to the all-new Solana Tower starting in January,” said Joseph Giunta, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Tropicana Atlantic City. “This renovation represents the next chapter for Tropicana, one that reflects the vibrant energy of Atlantic City while delivering a refreshed, comfortable escape for every kind of traveler.”

3. UKGC fines online operator Platinum Gaming
The gambling business will pay a £10 million penalty after a U.K. Gambling Commission investigation revealed anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings.

Platinum Gaming Limited – which operates unibet.co.uk and uk.bingo.com – will also receive a warning and have to undergo a third-party audit to ensure it is effectively implementing its anti-money laundering and safer gambling policies, procedures and controls.

One of the failures included employing a customer interaction system which failed to identify a player as at risk of harm despite the player losing £5,000 within 24 hours of registration and going on to lose more than £16,000 in less than three months.

Platinum Gaming Limited will pay a £10 million penalty after an investigation revealed Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and social responsibility failings.

To read more about this, visit our website ?? https://t.co/LPyuZMxaCt pic.twitter.com/M6mueXe1aO

— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) October 22, 2025

2. DraftKings acquires Railbird Technologies
On Tuesday, DraftKings announced the acquisition of Railbird Technologies and its wholly owned subsidiary, Railbird Exchange.

The acquisition supports DraftKings’ broader strategy to enter prediction markets, expanding its addressable opportunity through regulated event contracts.

The company also confirmed plans in the coming months to launch DraftKings Predictions, a mobile application that will allow customers to trade regulated event contracts on real-world outcomes across finance, culture, and entertainment.

The product will have the flexibility to connect to multiple exchanges, enabling DraftKings to offer one of the broadest suites of markets to its customers. Its offering may expand into additional categories over time.

DraftKings Acquires Railbird to Advance Future Growth in Prediction Markets

Today, @DraftKings announced the acquisition of Railbird, a federally licensed exchange designated by the CFTC. The acquisition supports DraftKings’ broader strategy to enter prediction markets,… pic.twitter.com/nrWicK9cUa

— DraftKings News (@DraftKingsNews) October 21, 2025

1. Federal probe ties NBA coaches and players to alleged illegal betting ring
On Thursday at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants, including NBA players Terry Rozier and Damon Jones, with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged roles in a scheme to use inside information from National Basketball Association players and coaches to profit from illegal betting activity.

According to the indictment, between December 2022 and March 2024, the defendants and their associates obtained and misused non-public information about upcoming NBA games to place fraudulent sports wagers for profit and then laundered the proceeds.

Rozier’s lawyer stated that his client is not a gambler and that they are ready for this fight.

Terry Rozier’s lawyer, James Trusty, in a statement sent to @CBSMiami :

“Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.” pic.twitter.com/46XZAoBV3t

— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) October 23, 2025

Portland Trailblazers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups was also arrested by the FBI for being connected in rigging illegal poker games for the mafia, including the use of X-Ray devices for players to gain advantages.

The NBA stated that both Rozier and Billups are placed on immediate leave and that the league is reviewing the indictments.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/vJ4bL2JwiC

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 23, 2025