Damon Jones pleads guilty in sports betting, poker fraud schemes

Former NBA guard Damon Jones remains at the center of one of the league’s more troubling off-court stories in recent memory.

Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting his role in both a sports betting scheme and a series of rigged high-stakes poker games, according to court proceedings.

In a prepared statement, Jones acknowledged using insider knowledge from his NBA ties to help bettors gain an edge, including nonpublic information on player injuries. He told the court he understood his actions violated league rules as well as sportsbook policies, and issued a broad apology to the NBA, his family and others impacted.

The case didn’t stop there.

Jones also admitted he was paid to serve as a so-called “face card” at exclusive poker games in places like Miami and the Hamptons, helping attract wealthy participants. He said he knew the games were rigged and that players were being cheated, per prosecutors.

Sentencing is scheduled for early January. Based on federal guidelines, Jones could face several years in prison, particularly in the poker-related case, which involved more than 10 victims and losses exceeding $9 million.

Jones becomes the first defendant to enter a guilty plea in a sweeping investigation that has touched multiple figures with NBA ties, including Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups.

It’s a stunning fall for a former role player who carved out a long NBA career and remained connected to the game well after his playing days.