A shadow has fallen over the world of professional basketball, revealing a stunning alleged conspiracy that reaches into the highest echelons of the NBA. Federal prosecutors have unveiled details of a sophisticated, nationwide gambling ring, implicating former and current players in a scheme built on deception and advanced technology.
The FBI, in what Director Kash Patel called “historic” arrests, has connected the operation to La Cosa Nostra, painting a picture of brazen corruption. The allegations center around rigged high-stakes poker games where millions were lost, fueled by misused confidential NBA information and a network of cheating devices.
This wasn’t a game of chance; it was a meticulously planned operation. Prosecutors detail the use of altered shuffling machines designed to predict winning hands, and even X-ray poker tables capable of revealing opponents’ cards. But the technology didn’t stop there – a hidden camera system analyzed poker chips, relaying crucial information to operators off-site.
The information flowed through a complex network, guided by a chillingly precise “signal book.” During a September 2024 game in Miami, players communicated through subtle physical cues: a touch of a chip, a tap of the chin, a brush of the wrist. These signals dictated folds, bets, and ultimately, the transfer of wealth from unsuspecting victims.
Former NBA stars Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones were identified as key figures in the alleged scheme. Prosecutors allege they weren’t simply playing; they were actively recruiting wealthy individuals to participate, leveraging their celebrity status to lure targets into the rigged games – acting as “Face Cards” to build trust and attract high-stakes players.
The evidence extends beyond accusations of cheating. A documented money trail allegedly shows $50,000 wired to Chauncey Billups following a rigged game in 2020. The funds, routed through intermediary companies, suggest a direct financial benefit from the illicit operation.
Billups, through his attorney, vehemently denies the charges, asserting his integrity and proclaiming he would never risk his legacy for a card game. He vows to fight the allegations with the same intensity he displayed throughout his celebrated career.
Damon Jones is portrayed as a central player, not only recruiting victims but also actively participating in the cheating. Messages reveal he requested – and received – an advance payment before a rigged game, and during play, received real-time coaching from an accomplice, instructed to observe specific players and fold when in doubt.
The scope of the operation is staggering, spanning from the Hamptons to Las Vegas, Miami, and Manhattan since 2019. Prosecutors further allege a direct link to the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families, who reportedly profited by taking a percentage of the winnings.
The NBA has stated it is cooperating with the investigation, but the revelations have cast a dark cloud over the league. This case isn’t just about a card game; it’s about a betrayal of trust, a corruption of sport, and a chilling glimpse into the intersection of professional athletics and organized crime.
