By Harshit, New York — October 24, 2025 6 AM EDT
In what federal prosecutors are calling one of the most sophisticated gambling frauds in recent history, U.S. authorities have dismantled a sprawling underground poker operation allegedly orchestrated by the Mafia — a high-stakes scheme that used hidden X-ray tables, rigged shuffling machines, and even specialized contact lenses to cheat victims out of millions. Among those arrested were Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA playeDamon Jones, both accused of serving as “face cards” to lure wealthy targets into the scam.
The Elaborate ‘Hollywood-Style’ Poker Operation
Federal investigators said the scheme, which began as early as 2019, was “reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.” Wealthy gamblers, celebrities, and professional athletes were invited to exclusive, underground games of Texas Hold ’Em across major U.S. cities including New York, Miami, and Las Vegas. What they didn’t know, prosecutors allege, is that the deck was stacked — literally.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the players who lost millions were “unwitting victims,” referred to by organizers as “fishes.” The games were allegedly run by members of multiple organized crime families — Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese — all part of the traditional La Cosa Nostra network. The scheme reportedly generated over $7 million in fraudulent winnings, with one player losing at least $1.8 million in a single night.
“This was not just gambling — it was calculated fraud backed by organized crime,” said FBI Director Kash Patel, describing the operation as “mind-boggling in its scale and sophistication.”
High-Tech Tools of Deception
The setup used by the syndicate resembled something out of Ocean’s Eleven. Investigators discovered that the poker tables were embedded with X-ray scanners capable of reading face-down cards. These tables transmitted real-time information to co-conspirators through chip trays equipped with analyzers and rigged card-shuffling machines that could predict the winning hand.
Prosecutors also found that certain cards were pre-marked with invisible ink, visible only through special sunglasses or contact lenses worn by participants in on the scam. Hidden cameras were discreetly installed inside light fixtures and table edges, feeding continuous footage to off-site “operators.”
These operators, acting as remote analysts, would send coded information to a player sitting at the table — known in the indictment as a “quarterback” — who then communicated secret signals to other accomplices. The goal was simple: ensure the victim always lost, no matter their skill or luck.
Celebrity ‘Face Cards’ and Mafia Connections
Authorities allege that former athletes like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were recruited to attract high-profile victims. Their presence lent credibility to the games, convincing wealthy businesspeople, actors, and professional gamblers that they were playing among peers — not marks in a Mafia-run con.
“Having recognizable names at the table made it easier to bait the hook,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia. “They gave legitimacy to what was, in reality, a fully rigged criminal enterprise.”
Billups, arrested Thursday morning in Portland, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The Portland Trail Blazers have placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, saying in a statement that they are “fully cooperating with federal authorities.”
Jones, who was also implicated in a separate NBA betting scandal involving alleged injury manipulation to influence gambling odds, faces two counts each of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
How the Scheme Worked
Prosecutors outlined a detailed sequence of events that played out during each illegal poker game:
- Recruitment: Victims were invited to high-stakes poker nights under the guise of celebrity charity or entertainment events.
- Surveillance: Sophisticated poker tables and chip trays scanned every card in play.
- Transmission: Data from the game was relayed to an off-site “operator.”
- Coordination: The operator fed information to a “quarterback” at the table via encrypted text messages or earpieces.
- Execution: The quarterback used subtle gestures — tapping chips, adjusting glasses, or shifting posture — to signal which players should fold or bet big.
The victims, unaware of the web of collusion, often believed they were simply outplayed by luckier opponents.
Mafia Profits and Money Laundering Trail
The operation’s profits were allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency transactions, offshore shell companies, and cash exchanges, with a percentage kickback going directly to the Mafia families overseeing the operation.
“This wasn’t just about poker — it was about power, money, and organized crime maintaining influence in new digital arenas,” said Raia. “They exploited the trust and fame of public figures to line their pockets.”
Fallout and Federal Response
In total, over 30 individuals have been charged in connection with the case, including organized crime members, casino insiders, and tech specialists responsible for maintaining the equipment.
The FBI, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), executed simultaneous raids across multiple states. Authorities seized over $11 million in assets, including luxury cars, cryptocurrency wallets, and the custom-made poker tables themselves.
“This alleged scheme wreaked havoc across the nation, exploiting the notoriety of some and the wallets of others,” Raia said. “No one, not even professional athletes or public figures, is above the law.”
Billups and Jones are expected to appear in federal court next week. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.