• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Conspirator Arrested in Federal Complaint Tied to Jontay Porter Scheme

  • Authorities arrested Long Phi Pham, who goes by Bruce, at JFK airport Monday.
  • Federal prosecutors allege Porter accumulated gambling debts early in the year to Pham and his crew.
Mar 11, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Jontay Porter isn’t out of the woods yet. 

The Raptors forward who was banned from the NBA in April for betting on games, is part of a broader illegal betting scheme that led to the arrest of a Brooklyn man at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York as he attempted to flee the country. 

Authorities arrested Long Phi Pham, who goes by Bruce, at the airport Monday as he tried to board a one-way flight to Australia, the criminal complaint said. He was detained Tuesday, pending trial on a charge of conspiracy to defraud a sports betting company. Three other suspects in the case remain at large. It’s unclear whether prosecutors are investigating Porter, too. 

Federal prosecutors allege Porter accumulated gambling debts early in the year to Pham and his crew and was encouraged to pay them back by ensuring the under hit on his individual player prop bets. 

The news came the same day MLB banned Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on baseball and Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty to stealing $17 million from Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to cover illegal gambling debts.  

According to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, Pham knew Porter planned to exit a January game against the Clippers early and placed bets on his performance accordingly. Prosecutors added that Porter told Pham before the game that he would exit early claiming an injury. The result was that a co-conspirator in the case won $40,250 off his bets on Porter. 

A similar process unfolded before a Raptors game against the Kings in March. According to the complaint, Pham and his co-conspirators discussed in a Telegram chat that Porter would exit the game early claiming illness. Pham and his co-conspirators went to an Atlantic City casino and placed bets on Porter, who removed himself from the game after playing three minutes. Pham and his group netted more than $1 million in profits off Porter bets according to the United States Attorneys’ Office. 

“Whether on the court or in the casino, every point matters,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. “As alleged, the defendant and his co-conspirators, as well as an NBA player, participated in a brazen, illegal betting scheme that had a corrupting influence on two games and numerous bets. This prosecution serves as a warning that fraud and dishonesty in professional sports will not be tolerated and those who engage in this flagrant flouting of the law will be prosecuted.”

Almost two weeks before the NBA banished him, Porter alerted Pham and his crew about a potential case coming their way. On April 4, in a group chat with Porter and the conspirators, Porter told the group that they “might just get hit [with] a rico,” referring to a racketeering charge and asked the group whether they had deleted evidence off their cellphones, according to the complaint. 

Pham tried to leave the country after the government tried to question him Sunday. The complaint said he was arrested with a bag that contained $12,000 in cash, two cashier’s checks worth $80,000, and several betting slips. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension on CBA Negotiations

The CBA expires Oct. 31; a deal is not expected by then.
Sankey

SEC’s Sankey Blasts NCAA Plan to Allow Pro Sports Betting

NCAA athletes can bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1.
Donald Trump Jr. imitates President Donald Trumps as he speaks during a memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 21, 2025.

The Trumps Are All In on Prediction Markets

Truth Social is launching a platform that will offer sports event contracts.
Napheesa Collier

WNBA, Players Remain Far Apart With CBA Deadline Days Away 

A union lawyer says a deal will not be reached by Friday.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

Turkish Soccer Says It Has Widespread Ref Gambling Problem

The scandal involves hundreds of professional soccer referees.
October 23, 2025

Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups Arrested in FBI Gambling Probes

The Billups arrest was tied to an illegal Mafia poker operation.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden.
October 23, 2025

The History of Hoops Betting Scandals

The arrests of Rozier and Billups are just the latest scandal involving basketball.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
draftkings
exclusive
October 22, 2025

DraftKings Is Paying Up to $250M for Prediction-Market Railbird

The deal was announced Tuesday, but financials weren’t disclosed.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
October 21, 2025

DraftKings Buys Prediction-Markets Platform but No Sports Just Yet

Front Office Sports reported DraftKings was in talks to buy Railbird in August.
Jenny Just
October 13, 2025

Austin FC Co-Owner: Teach Your Daughters to Play Poker

She calls poker a “mind sport” like chess that teaches important life skills.
Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker
October 8, 2025

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.