Former NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested for Hosting Illegal Poker Games

Former NBA All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, 43, has been arrested along with five other individuals on federal charges linked to operating an illegal gambling business. The charges stem from high-stakes poker games held at Arenas’s mansion in Encino, California, between September 2021 and July 2022. The indictment, unsealed on Wednesday, alleges that Arenas and his co-defendants, including 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman—a suspected organized crime figure from Israel—ran a sophisticated and illegal gambling operation that involved multiple forms of gambling, staff, and services to attract high-rolling players.

Arenas is specifically charged with three federal offenses: one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating such a business, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. Each of these charges carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison. He was scheduled to appear in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles for arraignment on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the indictment, Arenas rented out his Encino property to his co-conspirators for the purpose of hosting illegal poker games, most notably "Pot Limit Omaha," a popular version of high-stakes poker. Participants were charged a fee per hand or a percentage of each pot as part of the gambling business. The operation was highly organized and included hiring chefs, valets, and armed security guards to maintain the atmosphere and security of the games.

Further deepening the criminal element of the enterprise, co-defendant Gershman allegedly hired women to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to the poker players. These women were compensated via tips but were also required to give a portion of their earnings to the gambling organizers, a detail that points toward potential exploitation.

The operation’s sophistication and involvement of multiple individuals point to a structured criminal enterprise rather than a casual or social gambling event. The indictment reveals how the venture blurred the lines between illegal gambling and other potentially criminal activities, with allegations that false information was provided to federal investigators to conceal the full extent of the operation.

Gilbert Arenas was once a prominent figure in the NBA. A three-time All-Star, he played as a guard and earned All-NBA honors—second team in the 2006-07 season and third team in 2004-05 and 2005-06. Over his 11-year career, he played 552 regular-season games (starting in 455), and averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He represented several teams including the Golden State Warriors (2001–03), Washington Wizards (2003–10), Orlando Magic (2010–11), and Memphis Grizzlies (2012).

However, his career was overshadowed by a serious incident in 2009 when he and teammate Javaris Crittenton brought guns into the Washington Wizards’ locker room after a dispute over a card game. Arenas pleaded guilty to felony gun possession and was suspended for the final 50 games of the 2009–10 NBA season.

Arenas was originally drafted in the second round (31st overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors out of the University of Arizona.