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Kevin Garnett-NBA gambling row: Major poker revelation on 15-time All-Star; FBI gives details

Kevin Garnett might face action in the NBA gambling row. The 15-time All-Star was reportedly present at a private poker game in 2019.

Updated on: Oct 24, 2025, 23:49:07 IST
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Kevin Garnett might face action in the NBA gambling row. The 15-time All-Star was reportedly present at a private poker game organized by the DOJ's 'Operation Royal Flush'. According to ESPN's Pablo Torre, the game took place in 2019.

Kevin Garnett is reportedly accused in the NBA gambling row (X)
Kevin Garnett is reportedly accused in the NBA gambling row (X)

“A number of former pro athletes played at private poker games organized by those indicted by the DOJ in “Operation Royal Flush.” One of them — according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of a game that took place in 2019 — was Kevin Garnett,” Torre reported on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

Read More: ‘Fixing’ scandal hits NBA: What cops cited as example from top American basketball league

While Garnett's team is yet to issue a statement, the former Celtics star's fans demanded an explanation.

"KG and Chauncey are super tight. Paul Pierce as well. Rip Hamilton and other Pistons probably. Gambling isn’t a new thing among pro athletes. And all of this is super circumstantial,” one person commented.

This comes after prosecutors charged Portland Trail Blazers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups in a sweeping gambling scheme. The 22-page indictment, unsealed Thursday, describes an elaborate setup designed to lure wealthy gamblers into rigged underground poker games in Manhattan.

Read More: NBA gambling, rigged poker scandals: Full list of people arrested - Damon Jones to Eric Earnest

Two regular poker circles, dubbed the “Washington Place Game” and the “Lexington Avenue Game,” served as the central hubs of the scheme. Among those named was Chauncey Billups, who allegedly received a cut of the profits in exchange for lending star power to the tables. Another participant, according to prosecutors, was former NBA player Damon Jones, best known for his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Authorities claim the criminal network manipulated the games using tampered card-shuffling machines embedded with hidden scanners capable of reading cards in real time. The data was transmitted to off-site operators, who relayed the results by phone to a member of the crew.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj

Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.
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