What's happened
Federal authorities have indicted over 30 individuals, including NBA figures, for operating illegal, high-tech poker games tied to mafia families in New York City. The scheme involved rigged tables, high-profile players, and victims losing millions since 2019. The investigation highlights ongoing use of sophisticated technology in underground gambling.
What's behind the headline?
This investigation exposes the persistent use of advanced technology by organized crime to manipulate gambling outcomes, blending traditional mob tactics with modern gadgets like X-ray tables, contact lenses, and wireless card readers. The involvement of high-profile athletes like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones underscores how organized crime infiltrates elite social circles, blurring the lines between legitimate sports and illegal schemes. The case signals a shift towards more sophisticated, tech-enabled mob activities that will likely continue to evolve, challenging law enforcement's ability to detect and dismantle such operations. The use of celebrity figures as 'face cards' also raises questions about the influence of organized crime on professional sports and the potential for wider corruption.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that authorities have indicted over 30 people involved in a high-tech gambling ring linked to mafia families, including NBA figures like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones. The article highlights the use of concealed technology such as rigged shufflers and contact lenses to rig games and swindle victims out of millions. The Post emphasizes the sophistication of the scheme and the involvement of organized crime in elite gambling circles.
Business Insider UK provides a detailed account of the technological methods used, including rigged shufflers, X-ray tables, and barcode-reading contact lenses, which enable cheaters to see hidden information and manipulate game outcomes. The article underscores the global availability of such devices and the ongoing challenge law enforcement faces in combating these high-tech crimes.
AP News notes that the illegal games operated by mafia families used high-tech gadgets to rig outcomes, with Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups expected to appear in court. The focus is on the technological sophistication and the organized crime's ability to adapt to modern tools, making these illegal operations more difficult to detect and dismantle.
The Independent highlights the scale of the operation, involving fixed high-stakes games in Manhattan and beyond, with victims losing millions. It emphasizes the involvement of organized crime and the use of high-tech cheating devices, illustrating how these schemes continue to thrive despite law enforcement efforts.
The articles collectively reveal a pattern of organized crime leveraging cutting-edge technology to run lucrative illegal gambling operations, often involving high-profile sports figures, and underline the ongoing challenge for authorities to keep pace with these sophisticated schemes.
How we got here
The case stems from a federal investigation into illegal gambling operations run by mafia families, notably the Gambino, Bonanno, Genovese, and Lucchese. Starting in 2019, these groups used high-tech devices and celebrity athletes to rig poker games and swindle wealthy victims across major US cities, including New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. The scheme involved rigged tables with concealed technology and high-profile participants, including former NBA stars, to attract high-stakes players.
Go deeper
Common question
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How Are Mafia Families Involved in Illegal Gambling Today?
Recent investigations have uncovered a complex web linking mafia families to illegal gambling operations that use high-tech devices to cheat high-stakes players. This raises questions about how organized crime continues to adapt and thrive in the digital age. Below, we explore the methods, key figures, and implications of these underground activities.
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What’s the story behind the mob-linked poker bust?
Recently, authorities uncovered a sophisticated illegal gambling operation tied to mafia families that used high-tech gadgets to rig poker games. This case involves high-profile figures, including NBA players, and highlights how organized crime continues to adapt with modern technology. Curious about how these illegal schemes work and what they reveal about mafia influence today? Keep reading for the full story and answers to your top questions.
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What’s the story behind the Brooklyn illegal poker bust?
Federal authorities recently uncovered a high-stakes underground poker operation in Brooklyn linked to mafia families. This operation involved sophisticated technology, high-profile players, and millions lost by victims. Curious about how organized crime is involved in illegal gambling today? Below, we explore the details of this case, the role of mafia families, and what it means for the future of underground gambling.
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