Basketball fans in Miami reacted negatively after the stunning indictment this week that led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures, on charges of illegal sports betting has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of professional sports gambling across the U.S.
Since widespread legalization, the multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy to place wagers on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. It’s just about impossible to go to a basketball, football, baseball or other pro game today — or watch a matchup on TV — without seeing ads for sports betting.
Fans can place wagers from their stadium seats, while “Bet” tickers scroll on TV sports broadcasts. Star athletes are frequently at the center of ads promoting it all.
In Thursday’s indictment, federal investigators accused Rozier and other defendants of breaking the law by exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games. Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, said in a statement that his client is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.”
"It’s just all around a nasty look for the game. It makes people like look at the game in a nasty way,” said Hamza Hussein, a Lakers fan.
Despite the bad look, some fans say it won’t change their love for the game.
“I'm a big basketball fan, I'm gonna love it no matter what, but it's a little, you know… you kinda get the side eye like a little bit on that for some of the things going on,” said fan Sean Gilroy.

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