The article reveals deep Mafia connections with NBA players Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, who were allegedly recruited into illegal gambling and poker schemes by mob figures, highlighting organized crime's ongoing influence in sports and athlete vulnerabilities to mob exploitation.
Federal prosecutors have filed criminal complaints involving a sweeping NBA gambling scandal with allegations of high-tech cheating devices, mob-backed underground games, and insider information sharing, including connections to the Lakers and notable NBA figures like Chauncey Billups and LeBron James, highlighting a complex web of illegal betting activities.
The Tropicana Las Vegas, a historic hotel on the Strip, is closing after 67 years to make way for a new $1.5 billion Major League Baseball stadium. The hotel, known for its opulence and ties to mobsters, opened in 1957 and was featured in films like "Viva Las Vegas" and "Diamonds Are Forever." Its closure marks the end of an era for one of Las Vegas' most iconic landmarks.