Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged with multiple counts related to the operation of an illegal gambling business. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, Arenas faces one count of conspiracy to run an illegal gambling operation, one count of operating such a business, as well as a count of making false statements to federal investigators. The allegations state that he operated this illegal gambling enterprise from September 2021 to July 2022, at a mansion he owned in Encino, California. Arenas has pleaded not guilty to all charges in court.

During a court hearing, Arenas was released on a $50,000 bond. A trial date has been set for September 23. Alongside Arenas, five other individuals have also been charged with similar offenses, including Yevgeni Gershman, who has been identified as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. The charges allege that Arenas rented out his mansion to host high-stakes illegal poker games, notably including Pot Limit Omaha (PLO). Arthur Kats is accused of operating the gambling activities under Arenas' direction, claiming responsibility for staging the mansion for the games, recruiting co-conspirators, and collecting rental fees on Arenas' behalf.

The statement also describes the nature of these alleged games, noting that they involved the collection of fees known as a rake. Reports indicate that young women were hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship during the poker sessions, while additional staff including chefs, valets, and armed security personnel were employed at these events. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count, with Arenas facing a potential maximum of 15 years due to the three charges against him. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samuel J. Diaz of the Transnational Organized Crime Section. Arenas, who played 11 seasons in the NBA from 2001 to 2012, is best known for his time with the Washington Wizards, where he made three All-Star teams and was recognized with three All-NBA selections during a standout stretch from 2004 to 2007. In recent years, Arenas has gained popularity as a podcaster, with his show, "Gil's Arena," boasting over 1 million subscribers on YouTube.