Among the three NBA figures indicted last week in Brooklyn, Damon Jones drew particular attention due to his close connection with LeBron James.
Jones, a former teammate of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is accused of sharing confidential information about an injured player with a betting group in February 2023. While the indictment does not specifically name James, details in the court documents closely match his profile. Following Jones’ arrest on October 23, a federal prosecutor asked a Nevada judge to impose strict conditions on his pre-trial release, citing what Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Plummer described as Jones’ “serious gambling problem.”
Because of the widespread media coverage, experts believe Jones’ alleged gambling addiction could become a catalyst for encouraging others struggling with similar issues to seek help. Despite earning nearly $22 million during his NBA career, Jones told the court last week that he could not afford a defense attorney.
“If Mr. Jones truly has a serious gambling problem, I hope he understands that help and hope are available — and that recovery is possible,” said Brianne Doura-Schawohl, CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC, a global firm specializing in responsible and problem gambling policy. “It would be encouraging if his story became a turning point for real change.”
Saddled in debt
Although Jones retired from the NBA over a decade ago, he continued to maintain close ties with LeBron James. During the 2022–23 NBA season, Jones reportedly acted as an informal assistant coach for the Lakers, giving him pre-game access to the star forward. According to court documents, Jones allegedly tipped off a betting syndicate that a player would miss the February 9, 2023, matchup against the Bucks. In exchange, he received a $2,500 payment.
Following his arrest, reports have surfaced highlighting Jones’ reputation for heavy gambling. A professional bettor, Michael Osborne, told the New York Post that he witnessed Jones wagering thousands of dollars per hand in dice games at a Las Vegas casino. Osborne claimed that Jones was a regular in the ARIA’s high-limit room, often seeking out players on winning streaks — and at times even asking them for loans to continue gambling.
According to Keith Whyte, former executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, such behavior is typical among those struggling with severe gambling addiction. Mounting debts often drive individuals into desperation, pushing them to take greater risks in an effort to recover their losses.
“This desperation phase of a gambling problem can trigger a range of harmful behaviors — from chasing losses and committing financial crimes to undermining the integrity of the game itself,” Whyte told iGB.
Increased funding for treatment
Following last week’s arrests, advocacy groups are expressing optimism that lawmakers will use the high-profile NBA case as motivation to increase funding for problem gambling awareness and treatment. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) continues to urge states to allocate at least 1% of sports betting revenue to prevention and recovery programs — a benchmark that, according to the organization, most states still fail to meet.
John Millington, director of strategic partnerships at Epic Global Solutions, proposed several initiatives aimed at addressing gambling addiction, including the introduction of “ring-fenced funding.” Under such programs, gambling operators would be required to dedicate a specific portion of their proceeds solely to education, prevention, and support services.
Meanwhile, Brianne Doura-Schawohl is advocating for tighter regulations on gambling advertisements featuring celebrities, warning that these ads can glamorize risky behavior. Keith Whyte, who recently launched the advocacy site Safer Gambling Strategies, emphasized the need to make treatment and outreach programs more accessible to those suffering from addiction.
“Stories like this can be powerful cautionary tales for athletes,” Whyte told iGB. “Legalized gambling brings in enormous revenue, yet funding for problem gambling resources remains woefully insufficient.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Plummer has requested that a Nevada judge impose strict conditions on Damon Jones’ pre-trial release, including a ban on participating in online gambling. Jones faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to ESPN, the NBA has also distributed a memo to players highlighting the “serious risks that gambling can pose to their careers and livelihoods.”
