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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his alleged role in an illegal gambling case, in which at least one other former player was also involved.
The Basketball Hall of Fame was arraigned in New York federal court on charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. Billups was accused of being involved in a mob-backed scheme to rig illegal poker games in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons.
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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Chris Heywood, Billups’ lawyer, denied the accusations against his client.
“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not risk those things for anything, much less a game of cards,” Heywood said Oct. 23.
Marc Mukasey, another attorney for Billups, declined to comment to reporters after the not guilty plea was entered.
Billups, 49, was released on $5 million bail secured by his family’s Colorado home. He is prohibited from playing and cannot have any contact with other defendants or alleged victims. He surrendered his passport and can only travel to seven states, including Oregon and New York, as well as Washington, DC.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups leaves Brooklyn federal court Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Federal officials said Billups was used as a “face card” to lure victims into rigged games. Prosecutors said that during one game, the scheme’s organizers sent messages to each other saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncy to have his money” because he was “star-struck.”
The rigged poker scheme involved sophisticated technology such as modified card shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip bins, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into card tables, prosecutors said.
Billups is accused of receiving a share of the money made by the alleged gangsters, officials say.
Billups and his co-defendants, including former NBA player Damon Jones, also appeared for a status conference. They are due back in court on March 4.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups listens during a news conference Friday, June 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (Jenny Kane/AP)
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Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are the NBA figures accused of allegedly conspiring to allow gamblers to exploit inside player information to win NBA bets.
