NBA coach and player arrested in massive mafia-linked sports rigging and gambling probe

X-ray tables showing face down cards. Shuffling machines that read them. Hidden cameras in chip trays and contact lenses that reveal pre-marked cards. No, it’s not a movie. It’s the illegal gambling scandal that is rocking the NBA. Charges against the defendants in the case were detailed on Thursday. These defendants, which include former professional athletes, used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in underground poker games that were secretly fixed. Portland Trailblazers head coach Chanty Bilips has been arrested for his participation in the operation. Details are still emerging in the case, but sources described a scheme where NBA stars would be used to lure victims to the rigged games where they would lose large sums of money. up to $1.8 million. When they couldn’t or wouldn’t pay, the mafia would use extortion and violence to make them. Meanwhile, the star or face card would be wired $50,000, something’s lawyer denies. To believe that Chanty Bilips did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game. Bilips, who has been the coach of the Trailblazers since 2021, has been placed on leave. Meanwhile, more are expected to be named in the scandal as the investigation continues. Is this your winning streak has ended?

FBI Director Kash Patel announced charges in a massive mafia-linked gambling and sports rigging probe that led to the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Simon Moritz has this story.
#NBA #player #sport

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