Federal authorities accuse Gilbert Arenas of operating an illicit gambling operation
Former NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Accused of Operating Illegal High-Stakes Poker Ring
Gilbert Arenas, the 43-year-old former NBA player and current host of the Gil's Arena podcast, found himself in hot water last month when he was arrested for allegedly running an illegal high-stakes poker gambling ring out of a mansion in Encino, California.
According to a federal indictment, Arenas and five co-defendants were involved in the operation, which took place from September 2021 to July 2022. The group reportedly charged a "rake" or fee on top of the bets, and they hired young women to provide services such as serving drinks, giving massages, and offering companionship to gamblers.
The indictment also alleges that Arenas and his co-conspirators staged and managed the mansion to facilitate the poker sessions, hiring chefs, valets, armed security guards, and other staff to support the illegal gambling business.
Arenas faces charges including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating such a business, and making false statements to investigators. The other defendants include Yevgeni "Giora" Gershman, Evgenni Tourevski, Allan Austria, Yarin Cohen, and Ievgen Krachun.
Gershman, a 49-year-old resident of Woodland Hills, is suspected of being a high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group and is described as playing a key role in the operation. The indictment suggests the involvement of organized crime elements linked to the operation.
At his arraignment, Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. The trial is set for September 2025.
Arenas is widely known for his years with the Washington Wizards and his passion for poker. In 2014, he was seen competing at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $10K Main Event. Underdog Fantasy renewed the Gil's Arena podcast earlier this year.
This incident is one of the most infamous moments of Arenas' career, following his suspension by the NBA in 2009 after bringing firearms into the team's locker room. Arenas pleaded guilty on a gun charge in connection to that incident.
The case is proceeding in Los Angeles federal court, and as of Wednesday, no attorneys were listed for Arenas or the other defendants in court filings.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested in California on suspicion of running illegal gambling ring," July 29, 2025. [2] NBC News, "Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas accused of running illegal poker ring," July 29, 2025. [3] ESPN, "Gilbert Arenas arrested on suspicion of operating illegal gambling ring," July 29, 2025. [4] Associated Press, "Gilbert Arenas pleads not guilty to charges of operating illegal gambling ring," August 5, 2025.
- The sports-betting aspect of the illegal high-stakes poker gambling ring managed by Gilbert Arenas has drawn interest in the general-news arena, given his history as a professional athlete.
- The current trial of Gilbert Arenas, accused of operating an illegal gambling business including crime-and-justice aspects such as organized crime allegations, has generated widespread coverage in sports news, given his former NBA career and ongoing podcast.
