Antonio Gates Denies Role in Poker Scandal Linked to Mob-Backed Games

NFL legend Antonio Gates has denied any involvement in the rigged poker games at the center of a federal investigation that has already led to the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.

Good to Know

• Gates has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing by authorities.
• The FBI says the poker games were part of a mafia-backed operation called “Operation Royal Flush.”
• The games allegedly used cheating devices and recruited athletes to lure wealthy players.

The poker scheme, under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, allegedly relied on professional athletes and celebrities to attract high-stakes gamblers. According to officials, the games featured rigged machines, concealed cameras, and communication devices that allowed organizers to manipulate outcomes and defraud players of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Was Antonio Gates Involved in the Miami Games?

Former ESPN reporter and podcast host Pablo Torre recently alleged that Gates had both played and hosted one of the high-stakes poker games in Miami. Torre claimed the sessions were organized by Curtis Meeks, who was indicted by the federal government last week.

Torre also said NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett attended one of the games but left early without playing. Additionally, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was reportedly present at some Las Vegas games alongside Billups, though at a different table.

Following those reports, Gates issued a statement through his business manager, Denise White, rejecting the allegations.

“Antonio Gates has not been involved nor has he been accused of any wrongdoing, assertions to the contrary are false and without merit,” White said. “There will be no further comments on this matter.”

Neither Garnett nor Lue has publicly commented, and the NBA has not confirmed whether it is investigating the claims.

How Deep Did the Poker Scheme Run?

Investigators allege the rigged games were financed by organized crime and used professional athletes, referred to as “face cards,” to attract wealthy targets known as “fish.” Once the games began, every dealer and player involved in the scheme allegedly worked together to cheat participants.

“What the victims, the fish, didn’t know is that everybody else at the poker game – from the dealer to the players, including the face cards – were in on the scam,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella. “Once the game was underway, the defendants fleeced the victims out of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per game.”

Federal prosecutors say violence was sometimes used to collect unpaid gambling debts. “Operation Royal Flush,” as the FBI dubbed it, remains active as agents continue to identify more participants and victims linked to the operation.

So far, authorities have confirmed that the games stretched across multiple cities, including Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. The ongoing investigation may yet reveal more high-profile names connected to the scheme.

FAQ

What was Operation Royal Flush?

It is the FBI’s investigation into a mafia-backed network of rigged poker games involving athletes, celebrities, and wealthy gamblers.

Was Antonio Gates charged?

No. Gates has not been charged or accused by law enforcement of any role in the poker operation.

Who organized the Miami poker games?

Federal indictments name Curtis Meeks as a key organizer of the Miami events.

What cheating methods were used?

Investigators found that the games used rigged shuffling machines, wireless communication devices, and chip trays fitted with hidden cameras.

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