Man accused of illegal sports betting jailed over rat emoji as Colorado betting laws take effect

On August 11, 2026, a federal judge jailed De’Niro Laster, accused of conspiring with NBA player Terry Rozier in a March 2023 sports betting scheme, for posting a rat emoji on Instagram to intimidate witnesses. Meanwhile, on August 12, 2026, Colorado enacted Senate Bill 26-131, banning credit card deposits on sports betting apps and limiting daily transactions, alongside Senate Bill 26-11, which forces large social media platforms to respond to search warrants within 72 hours.

Rat emoji witness intimidation

• ▪On August 11, 2026, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall revoked the bail of De’Niro Laster in Brooklyn federal court after he posted a rat emoji on Instagram.
• ▪Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall noted that other judges have imposed harsher sentences on defendants who referred to government witnesses as 'rats.'
• ▪Defense attorney M. Evan Corcoran argued that De’Niro Laster's rat emoji post was harmless and that jailing him would be a 'manifest injustice.'
• ▪Federal prosecutors characterized De’Niro Laster's Instagram post of a rat emoji as an attempt to intimidate witnesses and obstruct justice.

NBA insider betting conspiracy

• ▪De’Niro Laster and Terry Rozier have both pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the alleged sports betting conspiracy.
• ▪De’Niro Laster was charged in October 2025 with conspiring with NBA player Terry Rozier to place insider sports bets.
• ▪Federal prosecutors allege De’Niro Laster and Terry Rozier conspired to wager that Rozier would underperform in a March 2023 basketball game.

Colorado sports betting restrictions

• ▪Colorado Senate Bill 26-131, which took effect on August 12, 2026, prohibits sports betting app deposits using credit cards.
• ▪Under Colorado's new sports betting law, Senate Bill 26-131, gamblers are limited to six deposits per day on sports betting applications.
• ▪Colorado's new sports betting law, Senate Bill 26-131, prohibits sports betting companies from advertising to individuals under 21 years old.

Social media search warrant law

• ▪Colorado Senate Bill 26-11, taking effect on August 12, 2026, requires social media companies with at least 1 million monthly users to respond to law enforcement search warrants within 72 hours.
• ▪Colorado's Senate Bill 26-11 requires covered social media platforms to maintain a staffed hotline for law enforcement to address crimes like fentanyl sales and gun trafficking.