The NBA poker scandal involving Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones exposed the rise of rigged poker tech, a network of poker cheating devices that turned private high-stakes games into engineered wins.
Prosecutors say the group used hacked automatic shufflers, X-ray poker tables, and marked-card contact lenses to predict cards and signal plays in real time. These tools were modified versions of legitimate casino technology, repurposed for fraud.
Below, we look at the five key technologies used to rig poker games, how each one actually works, and how to spot the warning signs before you sit at the table.
The Automatic Card Shuffler
Automatic card shufflers are a casino staple, but when modified, they become one of the most effective poker cheating devices in circulation. These machines use optical sensors and cameras to scan every card as it’s shuffled. In rigged form, a hidden USB or Bluetooth transmitter intercepts that card-order data and sends it to an external receiver. From there, an off-site operator can view the exact deck sequence before the first hand is dealt, turning a legitimate randomizer into a digital predictor.
How it was Used in the NBA Poker Scandal
According to the 2025 FBI indictment, hackers used a hidden dongle inside the shuffler to export the deck data in real time. That data was then sent to an off-site “signal operator,” who relayed it to a player inside the room (the quarterback). Every hand was essentially pre-solved before it was dealt, allowing insiders like Damon Jones to steer games for guaranteed profits.
What the Card Shuffler was Originally Designed For
Automatic shufflers like the Deckmate 2 were designed to prevent human manipulation and ensure true randomness. They speed up the game and provide a verifiable shuffle record, making them one of the most trusted pieces of tech in regulated poker rooms.
The X-Ray (or Infrared) Poker Table
Rigged X-ray poker tables use concealed imaging sensors or infrared cameras installed beneath the felt. These scanners can detect subtle differences in the ink or reflective coating on cards, allowing operators to read face-down cards in real time. The information is transmitted wirelessly to an accomplice’s device, giving them a full picture of the table before anyone else acts.
How it was Used in the NBA Poker Scandal
Prosecutors allege that underground games linked to the NBA case featured tables modified with X-ray and infrared cameras. These custom-built surfaces could read card identities and relay that data to operators watching remotely. Once the signal was decoded, the “quarterback” inside the room used subtle cues to direct players, turning an advanced casino table into a silent surveillance system for rigged poker games.
What Smart Poker Tables Were Originally Designed for
Smart poker tables are used in legitimate casinos and televised tournaments to track chip counts, automate pot calculations, and broadcast card data for viewers. The technology was originally developed to increase transparency and eliminate dealer error.
Marked Cards and Contact-Lens Readers
Marked-card systems are among the oldest cheating tools, but modern rigged poker tech has made them nearly impossible to detect. Using UV or infrared ink, markings are invisible under standard lighting but glow when viewed through specialized contact lenses or tinted glasses. Players wearing these lenses can instantly identify every opponent’s hand.
How it was Used in the NBA Poker Scandal
Investigators revealed that the ring behind the Billups–Rozier games used decks tagged with invisible symbols that only appeared through custom contacts. With multiple conspirators wearing the lenses, plays could be coordinated without any obvious tells. The old magician’s trick became a precision optical system that helped siphon millions from unsuspecting players.
What Marked Cards Were Originally Designed For
Marked decks have legitimate uses in magic shows, dealer training, and card-handling demonstrations. In controlled settings, they serve as harmless teaching tools to showcase reading patterns and memorization.
The “Quarterback” Signal Network
The “quarterback system” is the human backbone of any rigged poker tech network. It relies on ordinary devices such as smartphones, Bluetooth earpieces, and encrypted messaging apps. The off-site operator who has access to deck or table data texts the in-room quarterback, who then passes coded cues through gestures like tapping a glass, scratching a cheek, or repositioning chips. This creates a live data relay disguised as casual table behavior.
How It Was Used in the NBA Poker Scandal
FBI filings describe a precise workflow: the modified shuffler sent card data to a remote location, the operator texted the quarterback, and the quarterback signaled collaborators. Players at the table unknowingly faced opponents armed with real-time information.
Crypto Laundering & Digital Payment Tools
Crypto wallets and anonymous payment systems add the final layer to the rigged poker ecosystem. Using blockchain wallets, scammers can move winnings instantly without creating a traceable banking record. Funds can be split across multiple wallets, mixed through privacy tools, and converted back to cash, concealing the money’s origins.
How It Was Used in the NBA Poker Scandal
According to prosecutors, the network used a series of crypto transfers to launder the estimated $7 million in profits generated from the rigged poker games. Funds were split into small amounts, circulated through shell accounts, and withdrawn as “consulting payments.”
What it Was Originally Designed for
Cryptocurrency and digital payments were created to make transactions borderless and fast. In legitimate gaming, crypto is used for fast deposits and withdrawals, especially at online poker sites.
What This Scandal Says About the Future of Poker
The 2025 NBA poker scandal didn’t just expose a cheating ring. It showed how quickly technology can change what we think of as a fair game.
Poker is no longer just a contest of cards and psychology. It now depends on the integrity of the hardware and software running the game. The same automated shufflers built to eliminate bias, the smart tables designed to track chips, and the digital payment tools created for transparency were all reprogrammed to do the opposite.
