Chauncey Billups and Others Charged in Rigged Poker Game Ring May Face Plea Deals

Federal prosecutors expect to offer plea agreements to nearly two dozen people charged in the nationwide scheme.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Federal prosecutors have told a judge that they expect to offer plea deal agreements to nearly two dozen of the 31 people charged in October for their alleged roles in a nationwide rigged poker game ring. The case involves former NBA players Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, who were accused of acting as lures to bring in potential victims to the games. Prosecutors said the scheme was backed by the mafia and stretched from Las Vegas to New York.

Why it matters

The rigged poker game ring case highlights the ongoing problem of organized crime infiltrating professional sports and the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking down on these types of sophisticated criminal enterprises. The potential for plea deals also raises questions about the strength of the government's case and whether some defendants may be cooperating with authorities.

The details

Federal prosecutors told the judge overseeing the case that they expect to offer plea deal agreements to a dozen people charged in the case over the next several days. They also said they have had 'productive' talks with lawyers for at least nine more people charged and are 'reasonably optimistic' those cases will be resolved before a trial. All 31 people charged, including Billups and Jones, are expected to appear in court on Wednesday for a hearing on the status of the case.

  • The charges were brought by federal prosecutors in October 2025.
  • The defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Chauncey Billups

A former NBA player who was alleged to have acted as a lure as part of the rigged poker game scheme.

Damon Jones

A former NBA player who was also alleged to have acted as a lure as part of the rigged poker game scheme.

Terry Rozier

A Miami Heat guard who was charged in a separate indictment related to an NBA gambling conspiracy that traded on non-public information about player health and availability.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing problem of organized crime infiltrating professional sports and the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking down on these types of sophisticated criminal enterprises. The potential for plea deals also raises questions about the strength of the government's case and whether some defendants may be cooperating with authorities.