Federal authorities have dismantled an elaborate poker cheating ring allegedly operated by mafia families and involving former NBA players, using high-tech devices like X-ray tables to steal over $7 million from unsuspecting gamblers in illegal games across the United States. The scheme, described as “mind-boggling” by officials, led to more than 30 arrests in a nationwide crackdown announced on October 23, with victims cheated out of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per game.
The operation, which began as early as 2019, was run by members of notorious New York organized crime families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese clans, according to federal indictments. It centered on rigged poker games in cities such as Manhattan, the Hamptons, Miami, and Las Vegas, where wealthy players were lured into high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em games under false pretenses. Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy exploited the allure of celebrity involvement to draw in victims, who were unaware that the entire setup was designed to ensure their losses. The scheme’s sophistication allowed it to evade detection for years, blending traditional mafia tactics with advanced technological deception.
Victims, referred to as “fish” in the scheme, were enticed to participate by the promise of gambling alongside high-profile “face cards,” including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones. These celebrities allegedly helped attract unsuspecting gamblers, who believed they were engaging in legitimate games with sports stars. However, everyone else at the table—from dealers to other players—was part of the conspiracy, making it impossible for the targets to win. One victim lost upwards of $1.8 million in the rigged games, highlighting the financial devastation inflicted by the ring.
The cheating was enabled by a range of cutting-edge technologies, including X-ray poker tables that could read face-down cards and rigged card-shuffling machines stolen or altered to predict winning hands. Poker chip trays contained hidden cameras to analyze cards, while special contact lenses and glasses allowed conspirators to read pre-marked decks. Secret cameras installed in tables and light fixtures transmitted real-time game information to off-site “operators,” who then relayed details to a “quarterback” at the table. This person would secretly signal other players, coordinating bets to systematically fleece the victims.
During games, the off-site operator received data from the cheating devices and communicated with the quarterback via covert methods, ensuring that conspirators knew the best hands and could manipulate outcomes. This coordination made the games overwhelmingly biased against the victims, with losses accumulating rapidly in each session. The technology’s wireless nature allowed it to be deployed discreetly across multiple locations, evading suspicion. Authorities noted that the scheme’s complexity resembled a Hollywood film plot, but it had real-world consequences, draining millions from participants who trusted the integrity of the games.
Profits from the scam were allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency transfers, cash exchanges, and shell companies, with a portion funneled to fund the criminal enterprises of the involved mafia families. The ring used threats, intimidation, and violence to enforce debts, extending organized crime’s reach into modern gambling environments. This blending of old-school coercion with new technology allowed the defendants to expand their operations nationally, exploiting vulnerabilities in underground poker circuits. The financial flows were traced through intricate networks designed to obscure the illicit origins of the money.
In a sweeping investigation, over 30 defendants were arrested and face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, illegal gambling, and extortion. The crackdown also uncovered a separate NBA betting scandal involving faked injuries, though the poker scheme was distinct in its focus on high-tech cheating. Key figures like Billups and Jones were placed on leave by the NBA, with the league cooperating fully with authorities. The arrests signal a significant effort by law enforcement to combat organized crime’s adaptation to digital and technological advancements in illegal gambling.
The case has raised concerns about the intersection of professional sports, technology, and crime, prompting calls for tighter oversight of gambling activities. It underscores how traditional mafia methods are evolving to incorporate sophisticated tools, posing new challenges for authorities. As legal proceedings continue, further details may emerge about the scheme’s full extent and its impact on victims. The crackdown serves as a warning to similar operations and highlights the ongoing battle against fraud in the gambling world.