On April 28, 2026, Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, became the first person to plead guilty in two separate but related federal cases stemming from a sweeping gambling investigation that has rocked the basketball world.
Jones entered guilty pleas in Brooklyn federal court to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud:
- One count related to an illegal sports betting scheme in which he allegedly provided non-public insider information about NBA players and teams to bettors.
- A second count tied to his participation in rigged high-stakes poker games allegedly backed by organized crime figures.
This marks a significant development in a case that led to the arrest of more than 30 individuals last fall, including current and former NBA figures, coaches, and reputed mob associates.
Details of the Charges
In the sports betting conspiracy (running roughly from December 2022 to March 2024), prosecutors say Jones used his relationships as a former player and connections around NBA teams — including time spent as an unofficial assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers — to obtain and share non-public information. This allegedly included injury details involving stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, which were then used to place advantageous bets and defraud sports betting platforms.
Jones read a prepared statement in court, acknowledging that he “knowingly and intentionally entered into an agreement with others to defraud sports betting platforms based on insider information” he obtained through his NBA relationships. He also apologized to the court, his family, his peers, and the National Basketball Association.
In the separate poker scheme (known in some reports as part of “Operation Royal Flush”), Jones admitted to acting as a “face card” — using his celebrity status as a former NBA player to lure high-roller bettors to rigged poker games held in locations such as Miami and the Hamptons between 2020 and 2023. Prosecutors allege these games involved sophisticated cheating methods, including altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and other devices, with proceeds allegedly benefiting organized crime groups.
Jones reportedly earned $2,500 for one such game and was instructed on how to participate while ensuring certain players won.
Background on Damon Jones
Damon Jones, 49, played 11 seasons in the NBA (1999–2010) for 10 different teams, earning over $20 million in his career. He is best remembered for his sharp-shooting and personality during stints with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers (where he played alongside a young LeBron James), Miami Heat, and others. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and media roles, including working with the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate and spending time around the Lakers.
Sentencing and Next Steps
Sentencing guidelines suggest:
- 21–27 months in prison for the sports betting conspiracy count.
- 63–78 months for the poker-related count (with prosecutors reportedly agreeing to a reduction of about 15 months in exchange for the guilty plea).
Jones also agreed to forfeit $35,000. His sentencing is currently scheduled for January 6, 2027.
He is the first of 34 defendants charged across the two indictments to plead guilty. Other notable names charged in the broader investigation include former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, though none of the others have entered guilty pleas yet.
Impact on the NBA
The case has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the league, the misuse of insider information, and the potential involvement of current and former personnel in illegal gambling activities. The NBA has strict rules prohibiting betting on league games and sharing confidential information, and Jones explicitly acknowledged violating both the league’s code of conduct and betting platform terms of service.
This guilty plea is likely just the beginning of what could be a prolonged legal process with potential ripple effects across the NBA.
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