Former National Basketball Association (NBA) player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded not guilty on 6 November (Thursday) to charges alleging he profited from rigged poker games and sold insider injury information about stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
Jones, 49, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn for two separate arraignments tied to last month’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) crackdown on illegal gambling operations. His attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, while prosecutors detailed his alleged role in a sprawling scheme that also ensnared NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier, alongside members of organised crime families.
Jones faces federal charges in gambling and fraud cases
Jones, a former teammate of LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege he attempted to sell non-public injury details to bettors for profit.
According to court filings, Jones messaged a co-conspirator before a 9 February 2023 Lakers game, saying: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
At the time, James was not listed on the Lakers’ injury report, but he was later ruled out, and the Lakers lost 115–106 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In another instance, prosecutors claim sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones $2,500 for a tip about Anthony Davis’ playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The bet failed, prompting Fairley to demand a refund after Davis played his usual minutes and led the Lakers to victory.
Inside the rigged poker game allegations
The same indictment accuses Jones of being used as a draw for illegal poker games rigged by crime families using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and X-ray-equipped tables.
Jones allegedly earned $2,500 to participate in one such game in the Hamptons. Prosecutors say he was instructed to cheat subtly by folding when unsure and texted organisers: “Y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”
The games were allegedly tied to New York’s Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno families, who demanded a share of proceeds and enforced operations through assault, extortion, and robbery.
NBA under federal scrutiny amid broader gambling scandal
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is facing growing political and federal scrutiny following the arrests of Billups, Rozier, and Jones. On 5 November, NBA officials reportedly met with the US House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the league’s sportsbook partnerships and integrity safeguards, according to ESPN.
The closed-door session covered how the NBA monitors betting-related misconduct and prevents the “illegal use of non-public information.” Commissioner Adam Silver did not attend the briefing.
Federal investigation targets sports integrity
The FBI probe, which led to over 30 arrests, revealed how organised gambling networks exploited professional sports. Chauncey Billups, now suspended from his coaching duties, is accused of joining poker games tied to mob-run operations. Terry Rozier allegedly leaked inside information on his playing time for profit during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.
The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on administrative leave. Tiago Splitter is now serving as interim head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers.
NBA reevaluates betting rules and integrity policies
The league has launched an internal review of its sports betting policies, focusing on player injury reporting and data-sharing rules. A memo obtained by the Associated Press and ESPN highlights growing concerns over prop bets and proposes AI-based monitoring to detect suspicious wagers across sportsbooks and social media.
“Given the spread of legal betting across most US states and recurring integrity issues, this is an opportune time to reassess how sports betting should be regulated,” the memo read.
Broader implications for US sports betting
The ongoing scandals have reignited national debate about the fine line between gambling regulation and insider exploitation. Analysts suggest the cases could reshape how leagues manage betting partnerships.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called the developments “deeply upsetting,” emphasising that “nothing is more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of competition.”
The NFL has also issued fresh reminders to teams regarding its zero-tolerance gambling policy, underscoring the mounting pressure on professional leagues to strengthen integrity oversight.
Subscribe HERE to SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown and SiGMA’s weekly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest iGaming News from the biggest iGaming community in the world and benefit from subscriber-only offers.
