Two former NBA players turned coaches, including a Hall of Famer, were arrested in connection with an illegal gambling scheme involving rigged poker games and associations with organized crime figures. Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering as part of a broader investigation that also implicated members of the La Cosa Nostra crime families.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Billups and Jones played key roles in the poker scheme, acting as “face cards” — individuals who helped facilitate cheating by attracting victims to rigged games. Their involvement was allegedly motivated by their status as former professional athletes, which made it easier to lure others into the illicit operation. The scheme reportedly caused victims to lose at least $7.15 million dating back to April 2019.
The arrests have raised questions among fans and analysts alike about why successful athletes with established careers would risk their reputations and livelihoods by engaging in illegal gambling activities. To shed light on this, Fox News Digital interviewed Meyer Lansky II, the grandson of the infamous mobster Meyer Lansky, who offered insights into the allure of gambling, power, and mafia connections for athletes.
Lansky suggested that athletes like Billups and Jones are natural risk-takers who thrive on adrenaline. “They think they can not only have millions to be paid by a team, but they can make more with their gambling, too,” he explained. He also noted that some athletes may struggle with gambling addictions or are drawn to the social and psychological appeal of associating with powerful figures behind these gambling operations.
Beyond the financial incentives, Lansky emphasized the sense of power and invincibility that can come with fame and fortune. “Anybody that gets an extraordinary amount of money, and they've got a lot of fans behind them, yeah, they can get to the point where they're just blind to ‘Nothing can happen to me. Why don't I just do this?’” he said. This mindset, Lansky argued, is not limited to sports but is a human response to wealth, power, and celebrity status.
Lansky also touched on the historical ties between organized crime and sports gambling. “Sports was always a big thing,” he said, explaining that fixing games was relatively easy and advantageous for crime families. Unlike casinos, which have extensive surveillance and security measures, sports betting provided a less risky avenue for illegal activity. With the recent legalization of gambling across many states, Lansky expressed concern that it has become easier for athletes to get involved in compromising the integrity of sports, although he believes illegal schemes will persist regardless.
He further elaborated on how organized crime exerts control in these gambling networks. “Protection — you don't have to come up with the front money, you place it with a bookie a lot of times. They’ll look for you if you don’t pay up,” Lansky said. This system allows mafia-affiliated figures to maintain influence by preying on athletes’ vulnerabilities. He also noted the mutual attraction between famous athletes and mafia figures, as both parties often seek connections that bolster their power and status.
The arrests of Billups and Jones are part of a larger crackdown on illegal gambling rings that exploit sports figures. Damon Jones is also named in a related sports betting case alongside NBA player Terry Rozier, highlighting the widespread nature of these investigations.
Chauncey Billups, currently the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was pictured leaving a federal courthouse following his arrest on gambling charges. The news has sent shockwaves through the basketball community, given Billups' respected status as both a player and coach.
In parallel with the ongoing legal battles, Meyer Lansky II is preparing to release a book titled *The Lansky Legacy*, co-authored to reveal “the truth” about his grandfather and to dispel many myths surrounding his life and criminal reputation. This publication aims to provide readers with a nuanced view of organized crime’s history and its complex relationship with sports and gambling.
The story of Billups and Jones highlights the continuing challenges professional sports face regarding gambling and corruption. Despite increased regulation and oversight, the temptation of easy money, the thrill of risk, and the influence of powerful criminal networks remain potent forces. As gambling becomes more accessible nationwide, the sports world must grapple with safeguarding the integrity of the games and protecting athletes from falling into harmful patterns.
Fox News Digital will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates on the legal proceedings and broader implications for sports and gambling