Six Long Islanders are now facing federal charges involving rigged poker games backed by Mafia families.
Officials announced the charges, along with a separate case involving illegal gambling on Thursday.
"My message to the defendants who've been rounded up today is this: your winning streak has ended," says U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella.
According to court documents, in June 2023 some of the suspects defrauded two people in East Hampton of $46,500 and $105,000.
Nicholas Minucci, of East Northport, is listed as one of the organizers of the game.
"The scheme targeted victims known as 'fish' who were often lured to participate in these rigged games by the chance to play along former professional athletes," says Nocella.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is among the 31 defendants accused of rigging Mafia-backed poker games.
Federal prosecutors say the suspects used advanced cheating technology to scam millions out of the victims.
"A poker chip tray that secretly reads cards using a hidden camera, special contact lenses or eyeglasses that can read pre-marked cards that can read cards and an X-ray table that read cards face down, says Nocella.
Officials say a separate scheme of illegal sports betting centered on the use of insider information to place bets on various NBA games.
NBA player Terry Rozier is charged in this case along with multiple others.
Experts say sports betting, especially for young people, can be dangerous and addictive.
"We used to worry about kids going into a casino. Now, they have a casino that is beeping and blinking and beckoning them, 24/7, in their back pocket," says Jeffrey Reynolds, president of Family and Children's Association.
