Wealthy gamblers, including celebrities and professional athletes, enjoyed glitzy poker nights, but they were more likely to lose fortune than win big. Victims were lured into high-stakes games operated by the mafia, armed with futuristic cheating devices including X-ray tables that read cards and tech-laden sunglasses.
Prosecutors have dubbed this scheme mind-boggling and reminiscent of a plot from an Ocean's Eleven movie, as victims collectively lost at least $7 million in rigged poker games. Among the more than 30 arrested are notorious crime figures and prominent NBA figures, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and ex-NBA player Damon Jones.
The scams date back to at least 2019, involving members of reputable crime families, creating an underground poker scene where everything from the dealers to the tech utilized for shuffling cards was rigged.
Information circulated seamlessly amongst conspirators using various signals, ensuring the players were always a step ahead. Text conversations uncovered by authorities highlight deliberate attempts to manipulate outcomes to keep victims engaged while slowly draining their funds.
This elaborate scheme has drawn attention to the seedy underbelly of high-stakes gambling, driven by organized crime's quest for profits. As investigations continue, the implications for everyone involved, especially the reputations of professional athletes, remain significant.
