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Following the recent betting scandal that has rocked the NBA, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has openly shared his thoughts on the matter, conveying his disappointment and issuing a cautionary message to present-day players.
In a candid discussion, O’Neal acknowledged the allure of gambling while emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the league’s regulations.
“I don’t want to come off as someone who has it all figured out: occasionally, during my trips to Vegas, I do play cards and roulette,” O’Neal remarked in the latest episode of *Inside the NBA*. “You should never let your name get entangled when you are aware of the rules. I know for a fact that they cancel practices and advise players with messages like ‘Avoid this, avoid that.’ Everyone had the information.”
“It disappoints me that those players would risk their families and careers,” he added, referencing the arrests of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones in connection with a gambling investigation.
As the NBA confronts challenges to its integrity amid ongoing inquiries into suspected betting activities involving various players and staff members, the league upholds strict regulations against wagering on NBA games, with penalties that can range from suspensions to fines or even lifetime bans.
O’Neal particularly expressed sorrow over two of his former teammates embroiled in the incident.
“I have a close relationship with Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, having played alongside them,” O’Neal said. “It’s disheartening that they would jeopardize their families and livelihoods. There’s a saying from my neighborhood: ‘Not all money is good money.’ If you’re earning $9 million a year, how much more do you need? You know well the consequences if you get caught can lead to jail time and a lost career.”
