FBI Uncovers Rigged Poker Scheme Involving NBA Stars and Mafia
A significant illegal poker rigging scheme has led to the indictment of 31 individuals, including notable figures from the NBA, as announced by the FBI. The operation, which allegedly involved the use of technology and organized crime, has raised serious concerns over integrity in high-stakes gambling.
The investigation points to a sophisticated network, involving former basketball players and organized crime members, that defrauded wealthy players, referred to as “fish” or “whales,” out of millions. According to court documents, the scheme began in April 2019, led by defendant Robert “Black Rob” Stroud and other conspirators who manipulated illegal poker games, primarily Texas Hold ’em.
Players were lured into the games with the presence of high-profile athletes, including Chauncey Billups, a Basketball Hall of Famer, and former NBA coach Damon Jones. Participants believed they were engaged in fair play, unaware that many at the tables were part of the scam.
The operation used advanced technology hidden within card-shuffling machines to track card orders and relay that information to an off-site operator. In addition, the scheme employed X-ray tables and hidden cameras, allowing conspirators to gain an unfair advantage. Players sometimes wore special contact lenses or glasses to see marked cards, further skewing the odds in their favor.
During a game in September 2024 in Miami, for instance, defendant John Mazzola acted as a “quarterback,” signaling to his co-conspirators whether he or another insider had the best hand. This allowed the team to manipulate the game in a manner that kept the unsuspecting “fish” engaged.
The involvement of organized crime added another layer of complexity. The Mafia, specifically La Cosa Nostra, provided support for the scheme, integrating it with existing illegal poker operations. The Bonanno and Gambino crime families were identified as key players in this endeavor, with operations based in New York City. Documents revealed that these crime families had merged their poker games to facilitate the rigging, utilizing technology provided by Stroud.
In one alarming instance, the Mafia reportedly robbed an individual involved in the rigged games, taking a Deckmate 1 shuffling machine valued at over $10,000. The financial management of the scheme involved traditional tactics associated with organized crime, including intimidation and extortion. For instance, in November 2022, defendant Zhen Hu allegedly assaulted a player for failing to settle gambling debts. Similarly, other co-conspirators invoked Mafia connections to coerce payments from victims.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that the total losses incurred by victims of the scheme amounted to at least $7.15 million. One victim alone, referred to as “John Doe No. 1,” lost $1.8 million in staged games held in June and July 2023.
Following the indictments, Billups appeared in court and was released on bond, with conditions including the surrender of his passport. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 24, 2024. The attorney representing Billups, Chris Heywood, stated that they plan to contest the charges.
The ramifications of this investigation extend beyond individual accountability, raising questions about the integrity of professional sports and the gambling industry. As Christopher Raia, assistant director in charge with the FBI, noted, “Using the allure of high-stakes winnings and the promise to play alongside well-known professional athletes, these defendants allegedly defrauded unwitting victims out of tens of millions of dollars and established a financial pipeline to La Cosa Nostra.”
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption within high-stakes gambling and the influence of organized crime in the sports arena.
