Rigged poker games were powered by Mafia remnants, feds say

(NewsNation) — Federal prosecutors accidental the remnants of 4 Mafia families were down an illegal, crooked poker ringing that utilized NBA figures to lure suckers to the table.

The singular claims from an indictment unveiled Thursday allege that operators utilized card-counting exertion to bilk millions from players who allegedly were softened up by personage accomplices including Portland Trail Blazers manager Chauncey Billups and erstwhile NBA defender Damon Jones.

The accusations of grift backed by mob musculus are nary astonishment to erstwhile USC shot subordinate Owen Hanson, a onetime cause and gambling kingpin who was associated with a Mexican cartel earlier the feds busted his operation.

“When there’s wealth involved, the organized crime’s involved,” the erstwhile national captive told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “When it’s a nonrecreational athlete, it makes it a batch easier due to the fact that they’re capable to bring successful these large ‘whales.’  … The athletes are these stars, and everyone wants to beryllium astir them.”

Also not surprising, Hanson said, is the thought that athletes, adjacent highly paid ones, could get mixed up successful gambling schemes.

“You’re chasing that rush,” helium explained. “I retrieve I started booking bets astatine 22 years old, and it conscionable wasn’t enough. The adjacent happening you know, I’m booking bets for the cartel and laundering wealth for them.”

During his vocation arsenic a bookie, Hanson said, athletes commonly placed bets with him.

“I had a nonrecreational jock successful each athletics gambling with me,” helium said. “I’ve taken these guys golfing, and I’ve had meal with them. … It’s that competitiveness, wanting to win.”

Ex-Gambino household member: Blame greed

Former Gambino household subordinate Robert Borelli, who contiguous is simply a curate and inspirational speaker, said amerciable gambling managed by the Mafia goes backmost astatine slightest a period successful the U.S.

“Before they did the lottery, earlier they did OTB betting, radical came to america to gamble erstwhile they couldn’t spell to the racetracks,” helium told “On Balance.”

Asked however well-paid sports figures would hazard their morganatic livelihoods to get progressive successful a mob-backed gambling ring, Borelli said greed is to blame.

“The emotion of wealth is the basal of each evils. No substance however overmuch you make, a small spot much and a small spot much ne'er hurts,” helium said.