High-Profile Arrests in Federal Gambling Probe
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones were arrested Thursday in a sweeping federal investigation into Mafia-backed illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Billups allegedly helped manipulate high-stakes card games across major cities, Rozier is accused of exploiting confidential NBA information to place fraudulent bets, and Jones faces charges in connection with both schemes.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the allegations as “mind-boggling,” highlighting the case’s unprecedented scale, intricate planning, and involvement of high-profile figures. The investigation reportedly links NBA players to multiple New York crime families, millions of dollars in illicit cash, and even an X-ray poker table capable of reading face-down cards.
Are the NBA and Poker Cases Linked?
Two indictments were released Thursday: one addressing alleged NBA game manipulation, and the other revealing a complex operation to rig underground, high-stakes poker games. Over 30 individuals were arrested across 11 U.S. states, with one person implicated in both cases.
In the NBA-focused investigation, six defendants allegedly used confidential player information, including injury reports, to place profitable bets on specific player performances. In total, 34 individuals were taken into custody in what the FBI calls a “massive, nationwide takedown,” which also included 13 Mafia members and associates.
An image released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York shows a card shuffler allegedly used in the illegal gambling operations.
Understanding La Cosa Nostra’s Role
The second indictment centers on underground poker games reportedly orchestrated by four of New York’s historic Mafia families, collectively known as La Cosa Nostra. Prosecutors allege more than 30 defendants employed advanced technology to rig matches, luring unsuspecting players, called “fish,” to nationwide events with promises of playing alongside celebrities and other high-profile “face cards.”
US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. explained, “What the victims, the fish, didn’t know was that everybody else at the poker game—from the dealer to other players, including the face cards—was in on the scam.”
High-tech cheating devices were reportedly used, including X-ray tables to see face-down cards and tampered shuffling machines that predetermined outcomes.
Key Figures Involved
The investigation involves some of the NBA’s most recognizable personalities. Chauncey Billups is accused of acting as a prominent “face card” in Mafia-backed, fixed poker games. Terry Rozier allegedly faked an injury during a 2023 game to secure financial gains for associates.
Damon Jones, former Cavaliers assistant, is charged with leveraging his locker-room access and player connections to benefit the gambling ring. The FBI claims Jones attempted to profit by selling non-public injury information, including details about LeBron James’ February 9, 2023 absence due to ankle soreness.
Suspicion around Rozier reportedly arose after a March 23, 2023 game, when he left early with a claimed foot injury. Investigators allege Rozier informed associates in advance, resulting in over $200,000 wagered and a portion of the winnings returned to him.
How the Poker Games Were Rigged
Prosecutors allege that underground poker games were manipulated using sophisticated technology. Altered automatic shuffling machines scanned decks and transmitted the data to contacts outside the room, who relayed the information to select players inside.
Nocella detailed other cheating devices, including poker chip tray analyzers with hidden cameras, specialized contact lenses or glasses to read marked cards, and X-ray tables capable of revealing face-down cards on the table.
These advanced methods allegedly ensured that certain players consistently gained an advantage, turning the games into a controlled, profitable operation for the defendants.
