Portland, Oregon- Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested in connection with a federal investigation into an illegal gambling operation that allegedly involved high-stakes poker games linked to organized crime, authorities said Thursday.
Billups, 49, was taken into custody as part of a multi-state probe targeting an underground poker ring that operated in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons. Investigators said the operation involved members of at least three New York–based mafia families.
According to law enforcement officials, the poker games used cheating mechanisms such as rigged shuffling devices and X-ray tables. Organizers allegedly targeted wealthy players — referred to as “fish” — by offering them the chance to play alongside well-known former athletes, known as “face cards.” Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones were among those recruited as “face cards” and were reportedly compensated for their appearances.
Authorities claim Jones once requested a $2,500 advance payment to participate in one of the events. Both he and Billups were allegedly paid to attend the poker sessions, which generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds.
Billups’ arrest came just days after he coached the Trail Blazers against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was hired as Portland’s head coach ahead of the 2021–22 NBA season after a Hall of Fame career that included a 2004 NBA championship and Finals MVP award with the Detroit Pistons.
Officials said Billups’ arrest is part of a broader gambling investigation that also includes charges against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
The Portland Trail Blazers have not issued public statements regarding the matter.
Federal authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional arrests may follow.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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