• Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was arrested Wednesday on federal charges tied to an alleged illegal high-stakes poker ring. Prosecutors claim the games, hosted at Arenas’ California mansion, were connected to an Israeli crime syndicate and involved security, servers, and illicit profits.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (TDR) — Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA All-Star known for his explosive scoring and controversial past, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a federal indictment accusing him of hosting illegal poker games at his Encino mansion. The charges stem from a broader investigation into an underground gambling ring allegedly operated in collaboration with organized crime figures.

The U.S. Attorney's Office of Central California announced that Arenas, 43, faces three federal counts: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He is set to appear for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Ties to Organized Crime and Lavish Gambling Operations

The indictment outlines a scheme running from September 2021 to July 2022. Prosecutors say Arenas rented out his upscale property, while an associate organized and staged the venue for poker nights. The games reportedly featured “Pot Limit Omaha” and other variants where a percentage of each pot was skimmed as profit—a hallmark of illegal gambling operations.

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Federal officials further allege the operation was tied to Yevgeni “Giora” Gershman, a suspected member of an Israeli organized crime syndicate. Gershman and several others were also arrested and face similar charges.

According to court filings, the events weren’t amateur affairs. The indictment claims the group staffed games with private chefs, valets, and armed security guards. Young women were reportedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship, with co-conspirators taking a cut from the women’s tips.

The identities of the high-stakes poker players remain undisclosed, and the U.S. attorney’s office declined further comment.

A Pattern of Trouble

This is not Arenas’ first brush with controversy tied to gambling. In 2009, he made headlines for a locker room standoff involving firearms with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton—an incident Arenas later admitted was sparked by a card game dispute.

Arenas last played in the NBA in 2012 with the Memphis Grizzlies. Over an 11-year career, he averaged 20.7 points per game and earned three All-Star selections with the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic.

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If convicted, Arenas faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count.

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