Part 6/12:
Adding another layer to this web is the involvement of NBA personnel, notably Portland Trail Blazers head coach, and Hall of Famer, Chanti Phillips. His participation in illicit poker games allegedly involved betting on games and manipulating outcomes through cheating.
The scandal extends beyond players to involve coaches and high-profile figures, illustrating how pervasive the illegal gambling ring might be. The conversation notes that despite the legal changes allowing sports betting, illegal poker games continue to thrive—highlighting that legalization doesn’t eliminate the existence of underground gambling networks.