Former LA Chargers tight end Antonio Gates is allegedly linked to a rigged poker game in Miami
Federal investigators have uncovered another major layer in the ongoing sports gambling and poker scandal that has already rattled the NBA. The controversy now extends into the NFL, with former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates being linked to an allegedly rigged poker game in Miami.
According to journalist Pablo Torre, Gates hosted and participated in the game, which was reportedly organized by Curtis Meeks, one of 31 people indicted last week under a federal investigation known as “Operation Royal Flush.” The probe alleges that underground poker games were manipulated to defraud wealthy participants of millions of dollars, using high-tech cheating equipment.
Prosecutors claim the games featured hidden cameras, rigged shuffling devices, and chip readers that transmitted data to outside operators. Those operators allegedly fed information back to players at the table, allowing them to make near-perfect decisions. High-profile athletes and celebrities were used as bait to draw in unsuspecting victims eager to play against famous names.
While Gates has not been charged or officially named in the federal indictment, sources close to the case told Torre that his involvement is being reviewed. The indictment already includes NBA figures such as Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones, both accused of participating in or benefiting from the fraudulent games.
The FBI said the operation blended organized crime tactics with celebrity influence, funneling profits through shell companies and cryptocurrency transactions. Authorities believe the network had links to members of several mafia families, including the Bonanno and Gambino groups.
Gates, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. The case continues to expand, raising questions about how deep the connections between professional sports and illicit gambling rings might run.
