Celebrities, professional sports stars, and wealthy gamblers sat at a table hoping to win big in Texas Hold 'Em, unaware they were being targeted by a mafia-run poker scheme that utilized high-tech gadgets.
This elaborate fraud involved X-ray card tables, secret cameras, card analysers, and even contact lenses that could decipher opponents' hands. U.S. prosecutors described the scheme, which reportedly cheated victims out of at least $7 million, as akin to a Hollywood film.
The investigation led to more than 30 arrests, including notable figures such as Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the operation a mind-boggling fraud scheme that affected players in cities like New York, Miami, and Las Vegas.
The scheme reportedly started in 2019 and involved members of various mafia families, utilizing former athletes as bait to lure wealthy gamblers to underground games.
Not everything was as it seemed; while victims believed they had a fair shot, the entire setup was rigged. Technology included X-ray tables that read cards and sophisticated communication methods, allowing conspirators to signal each other during games. Textevidence suggested that participants would even let victims win occasionally to prolong their playtime.
The scheme was uncovered as part of a federal crackdown on illegal gambling operations, meant to disrupt the funding of organized crime syndicates.
The fallout has significant implications for the NBA as both Billups and Jones face serious legal consequences, casting a shadow over the integrity of professional sports.
