Ex-NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Hosting Illegal High-Stakes Poker Games
Ex-NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested for allegedly running illegal high-stakes poker games at his Encino mansion, facing conspiracy and illegal gambling charges.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested on Wednesday alongside five others for allegedly running illegal 'high-stakes" poker games at his mansion in the Los Angeles suburbs, according to US prosecutors.
The 43-year-old Arenas, who was a star player for the Washington Wizards, rented out his luxury home in Encino 'for the purposes of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games" from September 2021 to July 2022, as stated in an indictment unsealed in Los Angeles.
The indictment also claims that the gatherings involved young women who were tipped to 'serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship" to the players.
Arenas faces charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
During his arraignment in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, he pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond.
US Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian set the trial date for September 23.
Among those arrested on Wednesday was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.
Gershman and the other three defendants allegedly managed the illegal 'Pot Limit Omaha" poker games, charging players a 'rake," which is either a cut of each pot or a fee per hand.
The women servers were reportedly required to pay part of their tips to the organisers, who also hired chefs, valets, and armed guards.
The indictment includes alleged text messages between Arenas and Kats discussing the arrangements for the games.
Authorities reveal that in November 2021, Arenas texted Kats a picture of a poker table with 'ARENAS POKER CLUB" printed on it, along with an image of a basketball player wearing an 'Arenas" jersey.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star, last played in the league in 2012 and later joined the Shanghai Sharks in China for the 2012-13 season.
In December 2009, he was involved in a notorious incident with his Washington teammate Javaris Crittenton, where both brought guns into the locker room. Arenas asserts their dispute began over a card game.
He pleaded guilty to felony gun possession and was suspended for the final 50 games of the 2009-2010 NBA season.
With AFP Inputs
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First Published:
July 31, 2025, 09:24 IST
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