Former NBA Player Damon Jones Pleads Not Guilty in Gambling and Information-Sharing Case
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges alleging he profited from rigged poker games and illegally shared confidential injury information about star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis with sports bettors.
Jones, 49, entered the pleas during back-to-back arraignments in federal court in Brooklyn, stemming from a sweeping federal takedown of illegal gambling operations last month. He acknowledged understanding the charges and bail conditions, which include his mother and stepfather securing a $200,000 bond with their Texas home. His attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, indicated they “may be engaging in plea negotiations,” with a preliminary conference scheduled for November 24th. Jones was among over 30 individuals arrested, including figures connected to organized crime and other NBA personnel like Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Prosecutors allege Jones sold information regarding injuries to James and Davis to sports bettors. Specifically, they claim Jones texted a co-conspirator to “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out” before a February 9, 2023, game where James was later ruled out with a lower body injury. In another instance, Jones allegedly received $2,500 for a tip about Davis’s playing time, though the information proved inaccurate. This case highlights the growing concern over the integrity of professional sports in the age of widespread sports betting, a market now legal in many states. For more information on the legal landscape of sports betting, see the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Beyond the alleged insider trading, Jones is also accused of participating in a rigged poker scheme utilizing altered shuffling machines and other cheating devices, often operating within illegal games connected to New York crime families. According to prosecutors, Jones was paid $2,500 to participate in a game in the Hamptons and instructed to fold when uncertain, with an instructor referencing James and Steph Curry to emphasize the importance of discretion. You can read more about the impact of organized crime on illegal gambling here.
Jones is due back in court later this month, and officials stated the investigation remains ongoing.
