FBI nabs NBA coach & Heat guard in sweeping illegal gambling bust
Federal agents charged 34 people in two linked cases, alleging Mafia‑backed rigged poker games and insider sports betting—including arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Prosecutors say millions flowed through the schemes; Rozier is accused of leveraging confidential NBA information to influence prop bets, while Billups allegedly helped run fixed, high‑stakes poker with tech‑assisted cheating. AP News+1
The NBA placed those implicated on leave as the league and sportsbooks confronted renewed integrity questions in a booming U.S. betting market. Analysts expect heightened scrutiny on player‑prop markets and data access, echoing fallout from last year’s Jontay Porter lifetime ban. ESPN.com+1
💥 TRI-STATE HEAT
New York — Flushing fights Citi Field casino
Hundreds rallied this week against Steve Cohen/Hard Rock’s $8B “Metropolitan Park” casino plan near Citi Field, warning of displacement and higher rents ahead of state votes in the coming weeks. New York City News Service
New Jersey — Mega Millions mania: $680M draws tonight
The NJ Lottery pegs Mega Millions at $680M (cash $318.2M) for Fri, Oct. 24—one of 2025’s biggest jackpots, with retailers bracing for heavy traffic. NJ Lottery
Pennsylvania/Philadelphia — PGCB bans adults over child neglect cases
Pennsylvania regulators placed three adults on the involuntary exclusion list after leaving kids unattended to gamble—continuing PGCB’s hard line on such incidents. Casino.org
🌍 GLOBAL GAMBLING BUZZ
• UK clampdown: The Gambling Commission fined Platinum Gaming (Unibet/UK.Bingo) £10M for AML and safer‑gambling failures and says expanded black‑market blocking is reducing illegal access. Gambling Commission+1
• Philippines squeeze: PAGCOR says revenue fell ~49% after e‑wallets were forced to cut direct links to gambling apps, pushing play toward unregulated alternatives. Philstar.com
🔮 HOROSCOPE HUSTLE (entertainment/fiction)
Aries — Pick 3: 5‑1‑9 • Pick 4: 7‑5‑1‑3
Taurus — Pick 3: 2‑8‑4 • Pick 4: 0‑2‑8‑6
Gemini — Pick 3: 1‑3‑7 • Pick 4: 1‑9‑3‑7
Cancer — Pick 3: 6‑0‑2 • Pick 4: 6‑0‑8‑2
Leo — Pick 3: 9‑4‑1 • Pick 4: 9‑4‑1‑0
Virgo — Pick 3: 8‑6‑5 • Pick 4: 8‑6‑2‑5
Libra — Pick 3: 0‑7‑3 • Pick 4: 0‑7‑3‑1
Scorpio — Pick 3: 4‑9‑8 • Pick 4: 4‑9‑8‑5
Sagittarius — Pick 3: 7‑2‑0 • Pick 4: 7‑2‑0‑6
Capricorn — Pick 3: 3‑5‑6 • Pick 4: 3‑5‑6‑9
Aquarius — Pick 3: 2‑1‑5 • Pick 4: 2‑1‑5‑4
Pisces — Pick 3: 8‑3‑9 • Pick 4: 8‑3‑9‑7
