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NFL Hall of Famer Antonio Gates is facing serious allegations after being linked to a supposedly rigged high-stakes poker game in Miami, according to a new report.
Sports journalist Pablo Torre broke the news on Sunday, claiming that Gates both hosted and participated in the game — which was allegedly organized by Curtis Meeks, one of the key figures indicted in a sprawling federal gambling case that’s shaken both the NBA and broader sports world.
While details remain limited, Torre’s report follows a story published by The New York Post on Saturday, where one alleged victim claimed he and his friends were scammed out of nearly $1 million. According to that report, an ex-NFL player acted as the “face card” for a poker setup where Meeks was a main participant.
Federal prosecutors recently unsealed an indictment naming over 30 people, tying them to elaborate betting and rigged poker operations. Among those implicated are Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player Damon Jones.
Prosecutors allege that Billups was used as a “face card” in the rigged poker games, helping mob-connected organizers attract unsuspecting players — or “fish” — into the operation.
Gates, through his business manager Denise White, denied any wrongdoing in a statement released Monday.
“Antonio Gates has not been involved nor has he been accused of any wrongdoing, assertions to the contrary are false and without merit,” White said. “There will be no further comments on this matter.”
As of now, it’s unclear whether Gates’ alleged ties are directly connected to the same rigged poker scheme that federal investigators have been digging into.
