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Former NFL Star Reportedly Hosted 'Rigged' Poker Game
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- Former NFL Star Reportedly Hosted 'Rigged' Poker Game
A former NFL star reportedly hosted an allegedly "rigged" poker game.
Three different NBA figures were arrested as part of an FBI investigation this week. TrailBlazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones were arrested by the FBI. They were arrested as part of an FBI investigation into rigged poker games and gambling scandals.
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The FBI announced the arrests on Thursday morning in New York City.
"As alleged, members and associates of organized crime families fixed illegal poker games as part of a highly sophisticated and lucrative fraud scheme to cheat victims out of millions of dollars and conspired with others to perpetrate their frauds," stated United States Attorney Nocella.
"Well-known former NBA players and former professional athletes, acted as 'Face Cards' to lure unsuspecting victims to high-stakes poker games, where they were then at the mercy of concealed technology, including rigged shuffling machines and specially designed contacts lenses and sunglasses to read the backs of playing cards, which ensured that the victims would lose big. Today's indictment and arrests sounds the final buzzer for these cheaters."
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A former NFL star was not arrested, though he too allegedly hosted a "rigged" poker game, which is what Billups is being accused of doing.
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 10: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers laughs and gestures during warmups for the game against the Washington Redskins on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)Stephen Dunn/Getty Images.
Pablo Torre of the "Pablo Finds Out" podcast is reporting that former NFL star Antonio Gates allegedly hosted a "rigged" poker game.
Gates, 45, played in the NFL from 2003-18. He was a five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler. Gates was named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.
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"Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates hosted — and played in — an allegedly rigged Miami poker game, sources with direct knowledge tell @pablofindsout , that was organized by Curtis Meeks. Meeks was indicted by the federal government Thursday," Torre reported on Sunday afternoon.
Statement from FBI director Kash Patel
Patel released a statement on the arrests made on Thursday. Gates was not among those arrested.
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"Today over 30 people were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in criminal schemes to rig illegal poker games to win large amounts of money. These individuals used technology and deceit to scam innocent victims out of millions of dollars – eventually funneling money to La Casa Nostra and enriching one of the most notorious criminal networks in the world," stated Patel.
"This investigation spanned 9 states and FBI offices, and I want to thank the men and women of the FBI for their tremendous work and dedication rooting out those actors responsible. This FBI will never stop following the money to pursue and find those who break our laws."
NYPD Commissioner Tisch released a statement, too.
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"For years, these individuals allegedly hosted illegal poker games where they used sophisticated technology and enlisted current and former NBA players to cheat people out of millions of dollars," stated Tisch. "This complex scheme was so far reaching that it included members from four of the organized crime families, and when people refused to pay because they were cheated, these defendants did what organized crime has always done: they used threats, intimidation, and violence. I want to thank the incredible team at the NYPD that worked diligently on this case, and our partners in the FBI, HSI, and the U.S Attorney's Office for their collaboration in shutting down this illegal gambling ring."
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
