Alleged Mob-Backed Poker Cheating Scheme Exposes NBA Coach's Involvement

According to federal prosecutors, a wide-ranging conspiracy to rig poker games using sophisticated technology has been uncovered, with members of the Gambino, Bonanno, and Genovese crime families allegedly organizing the games and taking a cut of the proceeds. The scheme is said to have defrauded victims of at least $7 million.

As part of the investigation, prosecutors have furnished images of a supposedly rigged DeckMate 2 shuffling machine, containing cameras that scanned cards and transmitted information to an off-site computer controlled by the alleged conspirators. Prosecutors also included an image of a supposed "X-Ray" poker table, which allegedly allowed cards to be read from a face-down position. Additionally, members of the conspiracy are accused of using special contact lenses or glasses to read certain cards from behind.

Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021, was among the 31 people arrested last week and charged as part of the alleged conspiracy. Prosecutors claim Billups served as a "face card" - a high-profile individual who could draw unsuspecting marks into the phony games. Another alleged "face card" and defendant in the case was former NBA guard Damon Jones.

According to the prosecutors, the nearly three-dozen defendants cheated unfortunate players out of at least $7 million through their elaborate scheme. Billups is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, though his attorney has denied all wrongdoing, stating that he would not "risk his hall-of-fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom" on card games.