Latest news with #PotLimitOmaha
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
What exactly happened in Gilbert Arenas' case? Here are 10 key points
The NBA World woke up to the news of Gilbert Arenas' arrest in a gambling case on Wednesday. He, along with five other persons, was arrested on the charges of running a poker house illegally from his Encino, California, mansion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The indictment filed by the federal prosecutors stated that Arenas ran illegal poker activities from his mansion between September 2021 and July 2022. The Gilbert Arenas trial is due on September 23 and will be held in U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi's court. According to the latest report published in NY Times, the former NBA star pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. Here are the 10 key points about the Gilbert Arenas case. 1. Gilbert Arenas charged with staging his California mansion for gambling activities Gilbert Arenas is charged with running an illegal poker business. He staged his California mansion using staff, security guards, billboards, etc., to run the gambling operations, as per the indictment filed. 2. Gilbert Arenas earned rent and rake from the alleged gambling operations Gilbert Arenas earned rent via an intermediary on the property used for high-stakes poker activities. He also netted a cut on every high-stakes pot called 'rake,' as per indictment filed. 3. Gilbert Arenas was hosting a poker variant called Pot Limit Omaha illegally, among other games Since Gilbert Arenas allegedly earned rent and rake for hosting Pot Limit Omaha on his premises, it could not be considered a private game among friends. 4. Gilbert Arenas' charges include conspiring of and running a full-blown gambling operation illegally, and making false statements to federal officers Gilbert Arenas' indictment file states that the charges against him include one count of conspiring to run an illegal gambling ring, one count of running an illegal gambling business, and submitting false testimonies to federal investigating officers. 5. Gilbert Arenas' five other accomplices include a member of an Israeli organized crime group Among the five persons arrested along with Gilbert Arenas is Yevgeni Gershman. According to a NY Times report, he is a member of an Israeli organized crime group, as per the government's claim. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 6. Gilbert Arenas also allegedly earned 'tax' on services provided by women in the gambling business According to the prosecution, young women were hired to assist in gambling operations. The women collected tips for serving drinks, passing on messages, and acting as companions to players. Gilbert Arenas deducted a cut from the earnings they made, as per an ABC 7's report. 7. A photo evidence presented as proof of Gilbert Arenas' involvement in illegal gambling business ABC 7's report also mentions a photo evidence submitted in support of the charges. The prosecutors claimed that the photo was texted by Gilbert Arenas to one of the defendants. The photo included a golden table carrying the words, 'Arenas Poker Club.' 8. Text messages were exchanged for operational activities Prosecutors also submitted copies of text messages exchanged between Gilbert Arenas and other defendants. In the messages, they discussed the scheduling of games and matters related to the operations of the gambling business. 9. A defendant, Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana, acted as a 'chip runner' Of the five other members accused, Ievgen Krachun of Tarzana was charged as the chip runner in the business. He kept a record of players' earnings and losses. Also, he distributed poker chips. Paying employees was his responsibility, too. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested in illegal gambling probe 10. Gilbert Arenas may face prison time if charges are proven If all charges are proved, Gilbert Arenas may face prison time of up to five years for each count of felony mentioned in the indictment. Gilbert Arenas did not release any statement officially. However, on release after paying the bond, he posted a video on Instagram. He is seen dancing in the video. In the caption, he mentioned that he just rented the premises and had nothing to do with the festivities. Also Read:
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested for illegal poker games in LA
FORMER NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested on Wednesday alongside five others for allegedly hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at his mansion in Los Angeles. Federal prosecutors revealed that the 43-year-old ex-Washington Wizards player rented his Encino property to run the underground gambling operation between September 2021 and July 2022. According to the indictment, the gatherings included young women who were tipped to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to players. Arenas faces charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and was released on a $50,000 bond. A trial date has been set for September 23. Among those arrested was 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, described as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. The indictment alleges that Arenas' associate, Arthur Kats, helped organize the games by recruiting participants and collecting rent. The illegal 'Pot Limit Omaha' poker games reportedly charged players a 'rake,' either as a percentage of the pot or a fee per hand. Servers were allegedly required to share tips with the organizers, who also provided chefs, valets, and armed guards. Text messages between Arenas and Kats were included in the indictment, with one showing a poker table labeled 'ARENAS POKER CLUB' and an image of a basketball player wearing an Arenas jersey. If convicted, the defendants could face up to five years in federal prison per charge. Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star, last played in the league in 2012 before joining China's Shanghai Sharks. His career was marred by controversy, including a 2009 incident where he and teammate Javaris Crittenton brought guns into the locker room following a dispute over a card game. Arenas later pleaded guilty to felony gun possession and was suspended for 50 games. - AFP
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested
Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA All-Star known as 'Agent Zero,' was federally indicted on July 15, 2025, and arrested on July 30 in Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege he hosted high-stakes illegal poker games at his Encino home from September 2021 to July 2022. The indictment charges Arenas with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, running that business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He is accused of renting out his mansion and directing co-conspirators, such as Arthur Katz, to stage the games, collect rent, and recruit participants. The games reportedly included Pot Limit Omaha, with players charged a 'rake' per hand or pot. Court records indicate the operation included staff like chefs, armed security, and valets. Young women were allegedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship, some reportedly paying a 'tax' on their tips. One defendant, Levgen Krachun, worked as a 'chip runner,' tracking player wins and distributing poker chips. Arenas pleaded not guilty in federal court and was released on a $50,000 bond. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison per count. Among the five co-defendants arrested are Yevgeni Gershman, identified as a suspect in an Israeli-based organized crime group and also charged with immigration fraud tied to a sham marriage; Evgenni Tourevski; Allan Austria; Yarin Cohen; and Levgen Krachun. Each faces similar gambling-related charges. The case surfaced amid renewed attention on Arenas after the Netflix documentary Untold: Shooting Guards, which revisited incidents from his playing days, including the 2009 gun-related locker room confrontation that led to his suspension
The Herald Scotland
31-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Gilbert Arenas arrested for running illegal gambling business
Also charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business: Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a suspected organized crime figure from Israel Evgenni Tourevski, 48 Allan Austria, 52 Yarin Cohen, 27 Ievgen Krachun, 43 According to the indictment that was unsealed Wednesday, July 30, Arenas and the other defendants "operated an illegal gambling business. Arenas rented out an Encino mansion he owned for the purpose of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games. At Arenas' direction, Arthur Kats, 51, of West Hollywood, staged the mansion to host the games, found co-conspirators to host the games, and collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas' behalf. "Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen managed illegal 'Pot Limit Omaha' poker games, among other illegal games, at the Encino mansion, collected a 'rake' - a fee the house charged from each pot either as a percentage or a fixed amount per hand - and invited players to compete. "Gershman hired young women who, in exchange for tips, served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to the poker players. The women were charged a 'tax' - a percentage of their earnings from working the games. Chefs, valets, and armed security guards also were hired to staff these illegal poker games." Gershman and Valentina Cojocari, 35, are also charged with three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud; marriage fraud; and making a false statement on an immigration document. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count. Arenas spent 11 seasons in the NBA, including seven-plus seasons with the Washington Wizards. He was a three-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection. In the 2009-10 season, it was discovered Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards locker room and had an alteracation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton involing firearms in the locker room. The NBA suspended both players indefinitely, and Arenas ended up serving a 50-game suspension.
News18
31-07-2025
- News18
Ex-NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Hosting Illegal High-Stakes Poker Games
Last Updated: 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 view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 09:24 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
