In a shocking development that merges the sports and poker worlds, the FBI has arrested 31 individuals, including current and former NBA players and coaches, in a massive illegal gambling and sports rigging scandal. This four-year investigation uncovered a sophisticated, high-tech scheme designed to rig private poker games , alongside a separate sports betting operation.
The two operations were dubbed “Operation Royal Flush” (the poker scheme) and “Nothing But Net” (the sports gambling). Among the high-profile names arrested are NBA figures Chanty Bilips, Terry Rosier, and Damon Jones. The case also allegedly involves the Italian mafia , with charges including illegal gambling, wire fraud, and extortion.
🃏 How NBA Stars Allegedly Lured Victims to Rigged Games
The core of “Operation Royal Flush” was a nationwide scheme involving 31 defendants who allegedly rigged illegal poker games. These games were hosted in exclusive locations like the Hamptons, Miami, Los Angeles, and Manhattan.
So, how did they get victims to the table? By using the exact draw that makes these games exciting: celebrity athletes.
According to the sources, victims were lured to these fixed games by the promise of playing alongside professional athletes. Specifically, Chanty Bilipsson and Damon Jones were named as athletes used to entice players to join the games. Victims in the illegal gambling operations lost at least $7 million.
⚙️ The Shocking High-Tech Cheating Methods
This wasn’t just a simple case of marked cards. The FBI states that the defendants used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in these secretly fixed underground games.
The technology uncovered is the stuff of a poker player’s worst nightmare:
- Altered Shuffling Machines: These devices were used to read the cards on the deck.
- The “Quarterback” System: The information from the shuffler was relayed to an off-site operator known as the “quarterback”. This person would then send the information to someone at the table, who could tell players if they were going to win the hand.
- Hidden Camera Chip Trays: Poker chip trays were used that could read cards via a hidden camera.
- X-Ray Poker Table: One device mentioned was an X-ray poker table designed to read the cards while they were still face down.
- Special Glasses & Lenses: The scheme also involved special contact lenses and glasses used to read marked cards.
This operation allegedly turned violent as well. The defendants reportedly robbed one victim at gunpoint to acquire one of the rigged shuffling machines.
🏀 The “Nothing But Net” Sports Betting Scheme
While the poker cheating is alarming, a separate indictment outlines a significant sports corruption scheme.
NBA player Terry Rosier was implicated in this plot. He allegedly informed defendants that he was planning to leave a game on March 23, 2023, early due to an injury. Armed with this insider information, the defendants placed over $200,000 in “under” bets on Rosier’s performance.
Rosier subsequently left the game after just nine minutes. The bets paid out a substantial profit , and Rosier and the defendants were said to have counted the money together at his house afterward.
The scheme also involved threats and coercion. Former Raptors player Jante Porter was reportedly threatened to participate in the sports gambling scheme because of his gambling debts.
⚠️ A Brutal Reminder: Why You Avoid Illegal Home Games
This entire FBI operation is a massive warning against playing in any unlicensed, unregulated, or illegal gambling spots. If the high-tech cheating isn’t enough to scare you off, the sources highlight that these private “home” games are dangerous for several other reasons:
- The Rake is Unbeatable: These games often charge a “gigantic rake”. This could be $10 or $25 per hand, or an uncapped 5%. With a rake that high, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to win long-term. In fact, one book of accounts reviewed from such an operation showed there were zero winners among people who played more than three sessions.
- You Might Not Get Paid: Many illegal games run on credit. If other players don’t pay their debts, you may not get paid your winnings at all.
- You Are Vulnerable to Cheating: Beyond the wild tech in this scandal , you are exposed to “card mechanics” (cheating dealers), simple marked cards, or pre-stacked decks.
This scandal is a clear reminder: if a game looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Stick to safe, regulated, and legal poker rooms.