The recent allegations unveiled by federal prosecutors have sent shockwaves through the world of professional sports, revealing a scandal that includes poker chip trays that can secretly read cards and glasses that detect card markings. These sensational claims involve a web of illegal activities, including underground games run by the notorious New York Mafia and NBA figures allegedly exchanging insider information for personal gain in illegal betting schemes. This scandal is being described as one of the most extensive and shocking in modern sports history.
At the core of the investigation are claims that several prominent figures in the NBA misused private insider information to benefit from online betting. This includes crucial details such as when players would be sitting out games. The implications of these allegations are far-reaching, with connections to high-profile teams like the Lakers and organized crime. Here are four key allegations that have emerged:
Among those charged is Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who is implicated in rigging underground poker games backed by three of New York’s Mafia families. Billups, alongside retired NBA player Damon Jones, reportedly attracted wealthy players to these games, earning the nickname “Face Cards.” The indictment suggests that the duo was involved in a cheating operation, utilizing rigged shuffling machines capable of reading deck cards and predicting optimal poker hands.
These cheating teams employed various advanced technologies, such as poker chip trays equipped with hidden cameras that could read the cards on the table. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella of Brooklyn highlighted the use of “special contact lenses or eyeglasses that could read pre-marked cards,” further illustrating the sophisticated methods employed in these illegal games. Billups’ attorney has vehemently denied these allegations, emphasizing the coach’s integrity and Hall-of-Fame legacy.
The underground games in New York were reportedly supported by three major organized crime families: the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families. The complaints suggest that at least a dozen of the 31 defendants are affiliated with these criminal organizations. Notably, Joseph Lanni, identified as a captain in the Gambino family, was named in the indictment and previously faced charges related to racketeering and extortion.
Federal prosecutors have accused defendants of utilizing insider information to defraud sports bettors. This included knowledge of which players would be sitting out games and when players would exit early due to injuries. Damon Jones, a friend of LeBron James, reportedly used this insider information to profit from bets associated with the Lakers, particularly regarding a key player referred to as “Player 3.” Although the indictment does not explicitly name the player, it cites a specific game in 2023 when this player sat out due to an ankle injury.
Text messages included in the indictment reveal Jones urging a co-conspirator to place a significant bet on the Milwaukee Bucks before the information became public. The Lakers organization has declined to comment on the investigation, and sources indicate that LeBron James was unaware of Jones’ alleged actions.
Another alarming allegation involves Terry Rozier, who, during his time with the Charlotte Hornets, informed associates of his intention to leave a game early due to a “supposed injury.” This advance notice allowed conspirators to place wagers that allegedly resulted in substantial profits. The indictment references a specific game on March 23, 2023, where Rozier played only a brief time before not returning, causing outrage among bettors who felt misled.
As this scandal unfolds, the implications for the NBA, its players, and the integrity of professional sports betting are profound. The ongoing investigations will likely shed more light on the extent of these illegal activities and their impact on the league.
