NBA Launches Sweeping Probe into Illegal Gambling Allegations Across Multiple Teams

In a sweeping investigation, the NBA is probing allegations of illegal sports gambling across multiple teams. As part of the inquiry, the league has asked the Los Angeles Lakers and other organizations to hand over documents and other property.

The NBA's actions come amid heightened scrutiny from Congress, which has questioned why the league did not uncover credible evidence of player and coach involvement in a betting scheme earlier. Federal authorities recently brought charges against a former Lakers coach, Damon Jones, for allegedly selling private injury information to gamblers.

Now, the NBA's independent investigators are expected to seek cell phones and other records from at least 10 Lakers employees, including assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims, who have close ties to Lakers star LeBron James. The league says it is taking the matter seriously and that all parties have been fully cooperative.

While James and the two Lakers employees have not been charged, the investigation is closely examining their relationship with Jones, who is accused of using his insider access to profit off bets against the Lakers. The scandal has also ensnared other teams, including the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers, where similar allegations of sharing non-public information have surfaced.

As the NBA works to get to the bottom of the widespread misconduct, the league is also expected to implement substantial changes to its rules around player injury reporting in the aftermath of this betting scandal.