Shaquille O’Neal Reveals Only Type of Gambling He Would Indulge In: “I’d Bet You $20”

Shaquille O'Neal condemned the gambling related allegations surrounding the NBA.

Shaquille O’Neal Reveals Only Type of Gambling He Would Indulge In: “I’d Bet You $20”

Shaquille O'Neal (Image via FirstSportz)

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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal had a few words to share regarding the recent FBI’s probe into the gambling allegations surrounding the NBA. Over the past few years, the league has been struck with quite a few illegal gambling cases. NBA player, Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach, Chauncey Billups, have found themselves knee-deep in controversy, betting on their own unders.

NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, has had his hands full surrounding these allegations, which has stirred a lot of controversy and discourse among analysts, players and fans. Shaquille O’Neal, a man with a bit more of an old-school mentality to him, admitted to how foolish gambling while worth millions is.

O’Neal, who recently appeared on Rob Lowe’s podcast, condemned these actions. While he did not name anyone specifically, he made his feelings known.

I mean, when I was coming up, this thing of ours was so pure, and I only question, why would you do something to put your family, your name in jeopardy like that? You know, I’m a my homeboy gambler, but I’ll bet you $20. I’ve never played poker. I don’t know what some of these things are and it is very unfortunate. But I know the leagues and illegal authorities. They are going to do whatever it takes to clean it up. When you make 26 million, like what’s an extra 20, 30,000? Especially when you could lose $26 million.

Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups arrested in connection to gambling

On October 23, 2025, Rozier was arrested along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones in connection to a much wider federal investigation into sports betting and gambling. 

The illegal activities were run by various criminal organizations including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime families of the American Mafia. This unfolding drama sent serious shockwaves through the league and the financial world.

On Inside the NBA, Shaq held nothing back and expressed profound “shame” following the arrests and delivered a blunt message. O’Neal admitted, acknowledging his occasional personal gambling:

I’m not a saint…I know Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones very well. I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and careers in jeopardy. If you’re making $9 million a year, how much more do you need?

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley often engage on goofy bets

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, as co-hosts on Inside the NBA, frequently engage in high-stakes, yet often not serious, bets that involve large amounts of (sometimes prop) money and amusing physical stipulations.

During a 2023 pregame show, Barkley, while criticizing the Atlanta Hawks, told Shaq he would bet “a billion dollars” on the Miami Heat to win their play-in game. The Heat did end up winning, but the bet was a joke, highlighting Barkley’s known “curse” of his predictions often being wrong.

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Shaquille O’Neal (left) and Charles Barkley (Right)

Another notable goofy bet was in late 2024, the two casually agreed to a bet that escalated from a few million dollars to five million dollars on a Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics game outcome. Shaq even pulled out wads of prop money to emphasize he was serious. These exchanges are what made the show very popular among the fans, blending real basketball analysis with playful banter.

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