The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3

Episode Title: Details Emerge in NBA Gambling Allegations, Ben Horney
Date: October 23, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode delves into the dramatic revelations surrounding a multi-million dollar gambling scheme involving NBA figures, organized crime, and advanced cheating technology. Dan Patrick discusses the FBI’s recent “Operation Nothing But Net” and “Operation Royal Flush,” providing analysis, humor, and context. Ben Horney from Front Office Sports joins the show to offer detailed insights, and listeners call in to discuss the scandal, NBA player performances, and a sprinkling of signature banter.

Main Discussion: NBA, Mafia & Gambling Tech Scandal

FBI Investigation & Allegations

• [04:45] Dan outlines shocking arrests:

  • Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones were among those arrested for roles in “rigged poker games” and sports betting schemes.
  • Ties to New York’s infamous “five families” (Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, etc.) backing these illicit games.

• Scam Technology & Methods:

  • $7 million+ scammed from victims.
  • Use of poker chip tray analyzers, X-ray poker tables that read cards face-down, and special eyeglasses or contact lenses to detect marked cards.
  • “Victims” referred to as “fish,” with everyone else at the table “in on the scam.”
    • Dan: “You probably at some point have to go, ‘Why am I the only one losing?’” [07:36]

• Operation Names:

  • “Operation Nothing But Net” (NBA-related)
  • “Operation Royal Flush” (poker scheme)
  • Dan: “Come on, this is out of a movie. It's not Goodfellas, it's Good Fellas!” [05:49]

Player & Coach Involvement

• [08:12] Questions arise about Chauncey Billups’ role—was he knowingly bringing targets into rigged games?
• [12:03] Dan wonders aloud if Billups’ participation was motivated by debt or kickbacks:
  • “Maybe Chauncey Billups owed somebody... Here’s how you do it. Now, once again, just speculating.” [12:03]

Interview: Ben Horney, Front Office Sports

[20:40 – 30:50]

Tone & Scope

• Ben Horney: “It was pretty intense, very serious. There were more than 20 officials... They said, ‘This is the tip of the iceberg… Both of these investigations are still ongoing.’” [21:08]

Key Details

• Operations & Roles:
  • Poker ring (“Operation Royal Flush”): Celebrities and ex-players (Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones) played with victims, using technology to cheat, ultimately stealing millions.
  • Sports betting (“Operation Nothing But Net”): NBA players Terry Rozier and John T. Porter provided inside info or manipulated their game performances (e.g., feigning injury) to influence betting outcomes.
    • “Terry Rozier... was going to claim that he was injured, say he would play poorly, then would exit the game… That’s what was happening.” [25:38]
• Timeline: Events stretch back years but have come to light after lengthy, methodical investigation.
• NBA’s Response: NBA cooperated with FBI investigation.
• Outlook:
  • “This is just the start... More players, coaches, etc., could still come out.” [26:30]
  • Trials and further legal action to follow.

Listener Calls & Broader NBA Talk

On Scandal & Legal Fallout

• [34:32] Callers speculate about why well-off former players risked participation (“It doesn’t make sense for me, but hopefully that clarifies…” – Mike, poker pro).
• Link to LeBron James: Media will question LeBron about Damon Jones, his longtime friend and teammate, despite no personal allegations.
• Potential tip-offs: Some NBA players may have been targets (“fish”) and could have tipped law enforcement.

Poker Technology Explained

• [50:39] Poker pro Mike (from Texas) explains RFID cheating tables and special glasses:
  • “You have the sensors in the table… if you have players in the game that are in on the scam, you can get some type of signal…”
  • “With glasses, you could see a marked card…”

NBA Talk: Star Performances & the “Future”

Victor Wembanyama

• [14:39] Dan extols Wembanyama’s incredible skills and changing the NBA archetype:

  • “He is the future. I know there’s a rapper called Future. That’s the NBA Future right there.”
  • Compares to past giants (Sean Bradley, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon).

• On Wemby’s MVP Chances:

  • [57:08] “Wembanyama shot up to second [in odds] overnight… Is he a top five player right now? Yes.”
  • Marvin: “He’s definitely a first team All-NBA player this season.”

Most “Boring but Great” NBA Players

• [46:42] Callers suggest Robert Parish, Tim Duncan, Moses Malone, and John Stockton for the “Hall of Fame for boringly great players.”
  • Dan: “Moses was as good an offensive rebounder as I’ve ever seen…” (nostalgic highlight)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan Patrick (on the investigation):

  “It’s wild. …This is a movie script all of a sudden. Get Matt Damon on. Let’s see if we can talk to him about Rounders 2.” [06:45]

• Paulie (with signature wit):

  “If there’s a bright side, it’s nice to see the five families working together on a new project harmoniously. You know, they used to fight each other, now they’re teaming up.” [07:12]

• Ben Horney:

  “Everyone’s innocent until proven guilty… They made sure to make that clear.” [22:20]

• Poker Pro Mike:

  “RFID technology, sensors in the table… It gets relayed back to a back room. And if you have players in on the scam, you get a signal… You basically know at any point in the hand if your hand’s good.” [50:56]

Other Segments

Classic Dan Patrick Show Banter

• Dan’s film cameos and stories about Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Nicole Kidman, plus light mockery from the crew.
  • “I couldn’t act. I mean, they thought that I was devilishly handsome, which… I get that. You’d rather that.” [15:27]
• Lighthearted notes:
  • “Passhole” slogan coming to Tennessee road signs, listener involvement in show-adjacent merch, and comments on Mary Hart’s perpetual presence behind home plate at Dodgers games.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 04:45 — Initial rundown of FBI/NBA gambling scandal
• 07:36 — On victims being “fish” at rigged poker games
• 20:40 — Interview with Ben Horney (Front Office Sports)
• 25:38 — Details of NBA prop bet manipulation and player involvement
• 34:32 — Listener call-in: poker pro discusses cheating technology
• 46:42 — Debate: boring but great NBA superstars
• 57:08 — Wembanyama’s MVP candidacy, odds discussion

Tone & Style

The show blends serious sports journalism with Dan Patrick’s hallmark humor and camaraderie. There’s space for both deep analysis (especially during the Ben Horney interview) and irreverent jokes, inside references, and good-natured ribbing among crew and listeners.

Conclusion

This hour is a blend of serious sports news—centered on unprecedented allegations of gambling and cheating within the NBA scene, with organized crime involvement—and Dan Patrick Show’s unique ability to add humor, perspective, and nostalgia. The gravity of charges is clear, but so is the sense that sports, like life, are full of plot twists.
As Dan says:

“Tip of the iceberg… 30 over 30 people and more to come.” [31:19]

This summary focuses on the main family-friendly, content-rich portions of the podcast, omitting advertisements and unrelated segments.