Former NBA All-Star Indicted in Gambling Ring Tied to Israeli Mobster [WATCH]

Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, 43, was arrested Wednesday and faces federal charges related to an illegal gambling operation allegedly conducted out of his Encino, California mansion, federal authorities confirmed, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Arenas is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal agents.

He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in Los Angeles and was released on a $50,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for September 23.

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Arenas, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and averaged 20.7 points per game, is accused of hosting high-stakes poker games at the rented mansion between September 2021 and July 2022.

The indictment alleges that Arenas and his associates collected a “rake,” or fee, from each hand played, in violation of federal gambling laws.

BREAKING: Gilbert Arenas seen being interrogated in leaked image

(Via @TMZ_Sports) pic.twitter.com/fBW9eMgow4

— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) August 1, 2025

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Five others were also arrested in the case, including 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, identified by the Justice Department as “a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.” Prosecutors say Gershman entered a fraudulent marriage in order to remain in the United States.

“Ain’t nothing wrong with snitching, man. It ain’t nothing wrong with just telling, man. Ain’t nothing wrong with telling, man. Especially when you got a fine-ass girl at home.”

– Gilbert Arenas pic.twitter.com/e1tCSggb1z

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 1, 2025

Court documents allege the gambling venue featured armed guards, chefs, valets, and women hired to provide drinks, massages, and companionship to players.

The women reportedly were required to turn over a portion of their tips to the house. The mansion was specifically staged for gambling and rented out to others for continued operation.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the IRS are all involved in the ongoing federal probe.

Arenas’ attorney, Jerome Friedberg, told reporters, “At this point in the case, he is presumed innocent, right? He has the same right as any other citizen to that presumption.”

Shortly after his release, Arenas posted a video meme to his X account, captioned “THEY CAN’T HOLD ME.”

Nah Gilbert Arenas is INSANE

Bro posted this after getting out of jail pic.twitter.com/gzXlQwYUmk

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) July 31, 2025

This is not Arenas’ first legal controversy connected to gambling. In 2009, while playing for the Washington Wizards, he was suspended by the NBA after bringing a firearm into the team locker room during a dispute over a card game.

Arenas’ name was also in headlines earlier this year when his son, Alijah Arenas, was hospitalized following a crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck. The younger Arenas was in a coma for nearly a week but has since recovered.

Each of the three federal charges against Arenas carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

Gilbert Arenas is truly one of one pic.twitter.com/BsPMXr6fUI

— Legion (Limited) (@Legion__12) July 31, 2025

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