In a scheme that sounds like a plot from a Hollywood movie, federal authorities have uncovered a scandalous poker fraud operation that included former NBA players, elaborate technology, and a network of organized crime.
The operation, which allegedly cheated wealthy gamblers out of over $7 million, was identified as being run by members of La Cosa Nostra crime families. It involved sophisticated X-ray poker tables that could read cards, disguised cameras, and high-tech glasses and contact lenses that allowed the players to see the hands of their opponents.
Prosecutors described the 'mind-boggling' fraud as targeting 'fishes'—wealthy gamblers unaware of being scammed—all under the watchful eyes of those in on the scheme, including well-known athletes such as Damon Jones and Chauncey Billups.
Federal investigations revealed that the scheme operated since at least 2019, drawing in players with the allure of sitting at the same table as stars. Victims would play in underground poker games where technology was rigged against them. Notably, the games included X-ray tables that revealed face-down cards and a comprehensive system of communication among participants who generated high-stakes games with dozens of thousands of dollars at risk.
They managed to keep victims playing by occasionally allowing them to win small amounts—fostering a false sense of hope—while systematically ensuring losses on a larger scale. This intricate operation was reported to have involved over 30 arrests, revealing a deeper connection between high-profile sports and organized crime.
The operations extended beyond poker, as investigations also linked players to schemes involving fake injuries to manipulate betting odds in NBA matches. The fallout is reshaping perceptions of integrity within professional sports.
As the trial unfolds, authorities warn of the dangers posed by sophisticated scams that exploit not only the wealthy but also the reputations of revered athletes.
