The recent indictments announced on Thursday unveil a sprawling sports betting scandal involving NBA personalities, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and player Terry Rozier. Allegations include the operation of illegal underground poker games backed by the mafia, utilizing advanced cheating methods alongside classic con tactics.
These high-stakes games, termed The Lexington Avenue Game, attracted wealthy targets looking for excitement and the allure of playing with professional athletes. The operators, described as 'face cards,' leveraged the fame of players and coaches to entice victims.
According to the indictment, the cheating involved a combination of high-tech gadgets and old-school hustling. Customized shuffling machines could determine the order of cards and communicate this information wirelessly to accomplices at the table, known as the 'quarterback.' Subtle signals between players transmitted crucial betting information.
The indictment also points to various forms of technology employed in the fraudulent activities, such as X-ray tables to identify down cards, hidden cameras, and specialized eyewear designed to read marked cards.
The aftermath of these games was riddled with violence, as operators employed methods like extortion and physical intimidation to collect debts from victims. Both Billups and Rozier face serious charges as part of this investigation.
This scandal shines a spotlight on the intersection of sports, organized crime, and gambling, posing questions about the integrity of professional athletics and the vulnerabilities within its framework.
