Chauncey Billups Tied to $7 Million Mafia Poker Scheme Using X-Ray Tables

Federal prosecutors have filed charges in one of the most elaborate gambling cases the NBA has ever seen, and Chauncey Billups is right in the middle of it.

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The Portland Trail Blazers coach and former NBA Finals MVP is among 31 defendants accused of running a multi-million dollar underground poker operation connected to several New York mafia families. Investigators say these games took place in luxury homes and private clubs from Manhattan to Miami and used sophisticated technology to cheat unsuspecting players.

According to prosecutors, the operation featured X-ray poker tables that could read face-down cards, special contact lenses and glasses that revealed marked decks, and hidden cameras placed inside chip trays. These devices allegedly gave certain players an unfair advantage while wealthy victims lost millions, believing they were in a fair game.

Authorities say Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones acted as “face cards” who used their celebrity status to attract high-profile players into the games. Once the guests were seated, the cheating began.
The group reportedly made over $7 million from the operation. Prosecutors believe that figure could grow as the investigation continues.

Federal documents say the profits were funneled through shell companies and cryptocurrency accounts connected to the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families.
Billups has been placed on administrative leave by the Trail Blazers while facing conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Officials have not confirmed whether he personally handled the cheating technology or only helped recruit players.

The case has shocked the sports world, raising serious questions about the connection between celebrity gambling, organized crime, and the growing risks around high-stakes private games.