Ex-NBA Player Damon Jones Expected to Plead Guilty in Gambling Sweep

Jones charged with profiting from rigged poker games and providing injury information to sports bettors

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:36am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a basketball game, with sharp planes and overlapping shapes that obscure the players' identities, conveying the complex and opaque nature of the gambling scandal.A cubist interpretation of the corruption scandal surrounding former NBA player Damon Jones, exposing the tangled web of gambling, insider trading, and organized crime infiltrating professional sports.Galveston Today

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures. Jones is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of gambling-related corruption and insider trading in professional sports, raising concerns about the integrity of the games and the potential involvement of organized crime. It also raises questions about the oversight and regulation of sports betting and the responsibility of players and coaches to protect sensitive information.

The details

According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that LeBron James was injured and wouldn't be playing in a February 2023 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. On another occasion, Jones was paid $2,500 by a sports bettor for a tip that Anthony Davis would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an injury, but the tip was wrong. In the poker scheme, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table.

  • Jones' change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026.
  • Jones was arrested in October 2025 along with other current and former NBA figures.
  • The alleged incidents involving James and Davis occurred in February 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

The players

Damon Jones

A former NBA player and assistant coach who is expected to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures. Jones is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

LeBron James

An NBA superstar whose injury information was allegedly provided to sports bettors by Damon Jones.

Anthony Davis

An NBA player whose injury information was allegedly provided to sports bettors by Damon Jones.

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What they’re saying

“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”

— Damon Jones

“y'all know I know what I'm doing!!”

— Damon Jones

What’s next

Jones' change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, where he is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in the gambling sweep.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of gambling-related corruption and insider trading in professional sports, raising concerns about the integrity of the games and the potential involvement of organized crime. It also underscores the need for stronger oversight and regulation of sports betting to protect the integrity of the sport and the safety of players.