Seems pretty clear to me the risk and excitement of the scheme was probably a big part of the appeal for these people, as much as the total cash amount they took home.

> In what sounds like an Ocean's Eleven film plot, prosecutors say these "unwitting" victims were cheated out of at least $7m (£5.25m) in poker games - with one person losing at least $1.8m.

Definitely a lot of work but that seems like a half decent payday to me.

More than 30 arrests, and the scheme dates back to as early as 2019.

The article says "A cut OF THE PROFITS went to those who helped in the plot," implying that the $7m wasn't truly profit but actually revenue? The writing is unclear to me. I'm not sure if this is before paying out to 30+ people over several years, or after, but article implies before, that it's how much was taken from victims. That I think makes the difference on whether or not it was a decent payday. The profit would be how much supposedly went to fund their other operations, which the article does allege some went to.

There may be more victims. I doubt it’s based on a thorough audit of accounting, just those that put in a complaint. But how do you verify a complaint?

Honestly I imagine a lot of this just became chasing yet another thrill that net you maybe tens of thousands of dollars. I could totally see why someone would be in to that. Most hobbies drain your bank account after all lol

Same reason there are people out there who shoplift even though they don’t need what they’re grabbing. The thrill of the act.

I can definitely imagine a scenario it was worth it (a) just to fund them getting to hang out with NBA players, and/or (b) make connections with other wealthy folks in ways that are beneficial towards other ends.

And that they just didn't want to operate it at a loss.

An nba coach was one of 30 people indicted in the scheme. He made about 5m a year at his straight job.

$5M is a lot unless you have a crippling gambling addiction.

It’s not so much the absolute amount as the comparative one.

Just extorting Chauncey Billips seems like a better ROI than the whole caper if you’ve got some hold on him.

Extortion risks exposing you in a way that quietly taking their money through cheating at cards does not. It’s also strikes me as a far more serious crime but I could be wrong.

I was replying to the premise that his involvement was under duress for gambling debts. If so it’s extortionate either way.

Wasn’t there just a pair of people that walked $100 million euros out of the Louvre?

The profit from a scheme like this would likely be in the high tens of millions of dollars.

The poker game itself in high-roller situations could be a million plus per night depending on the stakes.

Then there's the whole "you owe the Mafia" angle with NBA players and coaches. It's a pretty clear line to the Mafia making tens of millions of dollars on rigged NBA games.