Federal authorities allege that former NBA stars Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were used by New York City mob families to “attract” wealthy players to rigged poker games, according to newly unsealed federal court documents. Both Billups, 49, and Jones, also 49, were arrested and charged on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in connection with two high-profile illegal gambling schemes.

Alleged Role of Billups and Jones

The indictments detail how Billups, a 2004 NBA Finals MVP and current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, along with Jones, participated as what federal officials referred to as “Face Cards.” These high-profile athletes were allegedly used to lure wealthy players into poker games that were secretly manipulated by members of the Gambino and Lucchese crime families.

Federal filings claim, “On numerous occasions, certain defendants and their co-conspirators invited the victims, who were often wealthy, to rigged games. To attract the victims, in some instances, well-known former professional athletes participated in the rigged poker scheme and were referred to as ‘Face Cards.’” According to prosecutors, Billups and Jones allegedly received a portion of the criminal proceeds in exchange for their involvement.

How the Rigged Games Worked

According to the Justice Department, the cheating teams used advanced technology to manipulate outcomes. “Card shuffling machines were secretly altered to use concealed technology to read the cards in the deck, predict which player at the table had the best poker hand, and relay that information via interstate wires to an off-site operator,” the filings state. That operator would then send hand signals to the cheating players at the table to coordinate winning hands.

Additional methods allegedly included x-ray tables, rigged shuffling machines, and specially designed contact lenses and sunglasses that allowed players to read marked cards secretly. The scheme, which reportedly began in April 2019, defrauded wealthy poker players out of more than $7 million.

Threats and Intimidation

The federal court documents also indicate that mob family members “used threats and intimidation to assure payment of debts” from players who lost in the rigged games. This added a layer of danger for anyone who might question or refuse to participate in the scheme.

Additional Charges Against Damon Jones

In a separate case, Jones, who served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016–2018) and later with the Los Angeles Lakers, was charged with allegedly selling insider information about player injuries to bettors before it became public. Prosecutors claim Jones received fees or a cut of the winnings in exchange for the information.

Meanwhile, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also charged in connection with a conspiracy involving bets on his in-game performances. Rozier allegedly manipulated results by faking an injury during a March 23, 2023 game when he played for the Charlotte Hornets.

Court Dates

Billups was released on bond following his arrest and is scheduled to appear in federal court on November 24, 2025. Rozier’s next court date is set for December 8, 2025.