Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas Mocks Arrest for Alleged Illegal Poker Games
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Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas has mocked his arrest over allegedly running an illegal, high-stakes poker ring out of his home.
Arenas, 43, has been charged with three federal crimes, including operating an illegal gambling business and making false statements to investigators. He denies the charges.
Posting on social media, the former Washington Wizards player poked fun at the charges in a jokey video after he and five others were arrested at his Los Angeles mansion on Wednesday.
Newsweek contacted his legal representative by email to comment on this story.
The Context
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Arenas, nicknamed in his sporting days as "Agent Zero", and the five other defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
Former Washington Wizards player Gilbert Arenas takes part in a ceremony during the half-time of an NBA basketball game between the Wizards and the Miami Heat, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Washington.
Former Washington Wizards player Gilbert Arenas takes part in a ceremony during the half-time of an NBA basketball game between the Wizards and the Miami Heat, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Washington.
AP Photo/Nick Wass, File
The indictment said that the defendants used the house for illegal gabling activities from September 2021 to July 2022.
Arenas, who made the NBA All-Star team three times and played for four NBA teams over an 11-year career, was also charged with making false statements to federal investigators, said the statement.
Arenas pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on a $50,000 bond after appearing in court on Wednesday afternoon.
What To Know
In one video posted on X and Instagram, Arenas was seen leaving a police department, dancing down the stairs and saying "they can't hold me" while a woman behind the camera shouted: "Free!"
The caption read: "Im Back on the Streets. This aint got shyt to do with me ' just rented the house' Wasnt apart".
Im Back on the Streets 🗣️This aint got shyt to do with me ' just rented the house' Wasnt apart pic.twitter.com/ALjozzhzoY — Gilbert Arenas (@NoChillGilZero) July 31, 2025
The gambling incident is not the first time Arenas has been embroiled in controversy. In 2010, he was charged with carrying a pistol without a license after he argued with teammate Javaris Crittenton in a locker room where both men had guns. He was sentenced to two years on probation and 30 days in a halfway house.
What People Are Saying
Speaking outside the courthouse, Arenas' attorney, Jerome Friedberg, said: "At this point in the case, he is presumed innocent, right. He has the same right as any other citizen to that presumption and that's how he should be treated."
Kwame Brown, a former teammate of Arenas, posted a video of himself on social media celebrating the arrest: "I told people one thing. I said, 'this ****** is a stupid mother f*****. He gonna self-sabotage. He's a dummy.' And look at this stupid mother f*****."
What Happens Next
Arenas' trial is scheduled for September 23. Prosecutors said that if convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
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