"To the uninitiated, the arrests of Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones last week for allegations of involvement in rigged illegal poker games may have appeared like an unusual collision of worlds. How could prosecutors claim that former NBA players (one a current coach), professional gamblers, and even mafia members all ended up rubbing elbows as part of the same high-tech cheating scheme that allegedly began in 2019 and ran for several years?"
"But while some of the elements that appear to have led to a yearslong FBI investigation and sweeping arrests are certainly unique, underground poker games like these are somewhat commonplace. They're often fueled by celebrities-the role prosecutors say Billups and Jones played here. They're often backed or otherwise aided by organized crime. And they still regularly feature seedy characters running schemes, chief among which is cheating."
"I dug inside the underbelly of private high-stakes poker games to find out how they work, why they're often targets for the mob or other sordid characters, and why the Billups Games appear to be an especially unique kind of scam. Let's Play Like with many elements of their lives, privacy is often paramount for celebrities who want to gamble. That's how these private games typically get started."
Arrests of Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were linked to alleged rigged illegal poker games involving former NBA players, professional gamblers, and mafia members. Prosecutors allege a coordinated high-tech cheating scheme that began in 2019 and ran for years, prompting a yearslong FBI investigation. Underground high-stakes poker games commonly attract celebrities, wealthy businessmen, and others seeking privacy outside casinos. Organized crime often backs or aids these games. Seedy operators run schemes that center on cheating. Private celebrity games prioritize privacy and social elements. Social settings often include party favors and amenities not permitted in casinos.
Read at WIRED
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]