Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh NBA Insider on Betting Scandal, Chauncey Billups Poker Games, & Next Star Traded
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Oct 30, 2025 
Shams Charania, a veteran NBA insider known for breaking major NBA news, joins the hosts to dive into the gritty world of gambling and poker scandals in professional basketball. He sheds light on allegations involving players like Terry Rozier and the murky connections to mafia-run poker games. Shams discusses how legalized betting affects integrity and speculates on the next big superstar trade. His insights on maintaining journalistic integrity while navigating high-stakes stories provide a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of sports reporting.
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Alleged Mafia Poker Games And 'Face Cards'
- Shams recounts alleged mafia-run poker games that used tech like special sunglasses to cheat players and 'face cards' like Chauncey Billups.
- High-profile players reportedly attended and some were presented appearance fees while games were secretly rigged.
Legal Betting Partnerships Heighten Integrity Risk
- The NBA's embrace of legalized partnerships with sportsbooks complicates integrity because gambling became integrated with the league's business.
- That proximity reduces separation and raises new risks that the league must urgently manage.
Prop Bets Create New Manipulation Vectors
- Prop bets make manipulation easier because players can alter small stats without ruining a team's result.
- Removing or tiering prop markets could reduce incentives to subtly influence game events.