Ex-NBA player Damon Jones to plead guilty in gambling case: Reports
Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones is expected to change his plea to guilty in two high-profile U.S. federal cases tied to illegal gambling operations, according to several media reports.
A court filing indicates that Jones, who previously pleaded not guilty in November 2025, will appear before a magistrate judge in Brooklyn on 28 April to formally enter his new plea. Jones is among more than 30 individuals charged across two indictments involving sports betting fraud and rigged poker games. He is one of only a few defendants named in both cases.
Prosecutors allege that Jones played a central role in schemes that relied on the misuse of non-public information and manipulation of private gambling events. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, reflecting the scale and sophistication of the alleged operations.
Allegations focus on sharing unreleased NBA data
At the core of the sports betting case are accusations that Jones provided confidential NBA information to bettors.
One key incident cited by authorities occurred in a February 2023 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. Jones allegedly alerted a co-conspirator to place a significant bet on Milwaukee before it became publicly known that LeBron James would miss the game due to injury. The Lakers subsequently lost the match.
Further allegations suggest that Jones also shared information concerning Anthony Davis, including expected playing time in a separate game. In that instance, a bettor reportedly placed a large wager based on the tip, which ultimately proved inaccurate.
Authorities claim that such exchanges formed part of a broader pattern in which insider knowledge was monetised, raising concerns about the integrity of professional basketball and the safeguarding of sensitive team information.
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty to sports gambling charges that were brought forth by the Department of Justice last fall, which led to the arrests of more than 30 people, per The Associated Press.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 16, 2026
Jones… pic.twitter.com/n25OZTNMVh
Rigged poker games linked to organised crime
In addition to the sports betting accusations, Jones is also implicated in an elaborate poker fraud scheme. Prosecutors allege that he acted as a “face card,” a recognisable figure used to attract wealthy participants to exclusive games that were secretly rigged.
These poker games were reportedly controlled by organised crime groups and utilised advanced methods to manipulate outcomes. Techniques described in the indictments include the use of hidden cameras embedded in poker chip trays and tampered shuffling machines capable of identifying card sequences.
Authorities said that participants were allegedly unaware that the games were compromised, while insiders coordinated play to ensure losses among invited guests. Jones is accused of attending such events and, in some cases, being compensated for his role in attracting players.
Case highlights growing scrutiny of sports integrity
Several media reports said that Jones is expected to become the first defendant in the case to plead guilty, a move that could have wider implications for the ongoing investigation. Legal analysts suggest that his cooperation may influence proceedings against other individuals named in the indictments.
The case has drawn increased attention to the relationship between professional sports and the expanding legal betting industry. Concerns have been raised about how insider information can be exploited in an era where wagering markets are more accessible and data-driven than ever.
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