Who was arrested in the illegal poker scheme?

Curtis Meeks, a 41-year-old man, was arrested as one of the 33 defendants indicted in an illegal poker scheme.

How much money has been cheated through the scheme?

Victims have been cheated out of over $7 million due to the scheme.

Which organized crime families were involved?

The Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families played roles in providing support and protection for these underground games.

October 25, 2025

Major Crackdown on Illegal Poker Scheme in Central Texas

Georgetown, October 25, 2025

News Summary

Curtis Meeks, 41, was arrested in Georgetown, Texas, as part of a major crackdown involving 33 defendants linked to a nationwide illegal poker scheme. This operation is accused of defrauding victims of over $7 million since 2019 using advanced cheating technologies and organized crime connections. Meeks faces federal charges for wire fraud and money laundering, highlighting a significant breach of integrity in professional gambling and sports.

Georgetown, Central Texas – Curtis Meeks, a 41-year-old man, was arrested as part of a sweeping crackdown on a nationwide illegal poker scheme that has resulted in 33 defendants facing charges. The illegal operation, which has reportedly cheated victims out of more than $7 million since 2019, involved sophisticated cheating technologies and connections to organized crime, highlighting a significant breach of integrity in both professional gambling and sports.

Meeks was initially held in Williamson County Jail but has since been released to another agency. According to court records, he is accused of collaborating with others to provide advanced cheating technologies for participants in the rigged poker games. Although no attorney for Meeks has been publicly listed at this time, efforts will be made to obtain a response to the allegations.

The operation employed various cheating devices, including rigged shuffling machines, electronic poker chip trays, and specially designed contact lenses or sunglasses that enabled players to discern card values. These illicit poker games were conducted weekly in New York and across various states, with the approval and support from organized crime families linked to the Italian Mafia, specifically La Cosa Nostra. The notorious Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families were implicated in providing backing and enforcing rules during these underground gambling events, including ensuring debts were settled after the games.

The federal indictment not only identifies Meeks but also connects several prominent figures including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier to the gambling scheme. Former NBA player Damon Jones is also associated with the case, while another former player, Jontay Porter, has already faced charges in connection to the investigation.

Meeks now faces two federal charges: wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. This broad inquiry, which involved the FBI, NYPD, and Homeland Security Investigations, has resulted in arrests in 11 states and pertains to a major criminal enterprise involving both the NBA and organized crime. The prosecution is currently handling separate indictments for both insider sports betting and the illegal poker scheme, the latter of which has been categorized as one of the most significant sports corruption cases since the advent of legalized online betting.

The insider betting conspiracy, which is under scrutiny, involved players allegedly misusing private information to place illegal bets on games across several NBA teams. Authorities are investigating the potential for collusion among players and organized crime in light of past incidents linked to athletes and illegal betting activities. Congressman Paul Tonko has remarked that such schemes exemplify the consequences arising from the growing prevalence of sports betting in America.

In response to the situation, James Trusty, the attorney for Terry Rozier, criticized the law enforcement’s methods, claiming the public nature of his client’s arrest was unwarranted and excessive. The fraudulent bets implicated multiple sportsbooks, which law enforcement has recognized as victims of the scheme.

This illegal poker operation, along with insider betting allegations, signifies a troubling trend in sports integrity as investigations continue to unfold.

FAQs:

FAQ

Who was arrested in the illegal poker scheme?: Curtis Meeks, a 41-year-old man, was arrested as one of the 33 defendants indicted in an illegal poker scheme.
What were the charges against Curtis Meeks?: Meeks faces two federal charges: wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
How much money has been cheated through the scheme?: Victims have been cheated out of over $7 million due to the scheme.
What cheating technologies were used in the scheme?: The cheating technologies used in the scheme included rigged shuffling machines, electronic poker chip trays, and specially designed contact lenses or sunglasses that allowed players to read cards.
Which organized crime families were involved?: The Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families played roles in providing support and protection for these underground games.
What has been described as one of the most significant sports corruption cases?: The scheme has been described as one of the most significant sports corruption cases since the legalization of online betting.

Feature	Detail
Arrestee	Curtis Meeks
Charges	Wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy
Total Money Cheated	Over $7 million
Cheating Technologies Used	Rigged shuffling machines, electronic poker chip trays, contact lenses/sunglasses
Connected Crime Families	Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese
Significance	Significant sports corruption case since legalized online betting

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Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN

The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.