By Mike Vorkunov
The Athletic
July 30, 2025, Updated 3:45 pm EDT
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and five others were arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles, the Department of Justice said in a statement. Arenas has been charged with three felony counts for allegedly running an illegal gambling business and hosting high-level poker games at his California home. He is set to be arraigned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Arenas ran an illegal gambling ring from September 2021 through July 2022, according to an indictment filed by federal prosecutors. They claim that he hosted games at his Encino, Calif., mansion and collected rent through an intermediary, while four others, including Yevgeni Gershman, who the government claims is an Israeli organized crime member, ran games like pot-limit Omaha poker and more.
Gershman also hired young women to work the games, serving drinks and massages, and gave back a portion of their earnings to the people running the operation, according to federal prosecutors. He is also being indicted on three counts based on allegations that he committed marriage fraud.
The Athletic
July 30, 2025, Updated 3:45 pm EDT
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and five others were arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles, the Department of Justice said in a statement. Arenas has been charged with three felony counts for allegedly running an illegal gambling business and hosting high-level poker games at his California home. He is set to be arraigned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Arenas ran an illegal gambling ring from September 2021 through July 2022, according to an indictment filed by federal prosecutors. They claim that he hosted games at his Encino, Calif., mansion and collected rent through an intermediary, while four others, including Yevgeni Gershman, who the government claims is an Israeli organized crime member, ran games like pot-limit Omaha poker and more.
Gershman also hired young women to work the games, serving drinks and massages, and gave back a portion of their earnings to the people running the operation, according to federal prosecutors. He is also being indicted on three counts based on allegations that he committed marriage fraud.
