Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA star and current podcaster, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. This information was confirmed in a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

Allegations suggest that Arenas operated an illegal gambling enterprise from September 2021 to July 2022 at a mansion located in Encino, California, which he owned. During a court appearance, Arenas pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following the hearing, he was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to stand trial on September 23. Additionally, five other individuals have been charged, including Yevgeni Gershman, who is identified as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel, according to the statement.

Arenas is accused of renting out the mansion for the purpose of hosting high-stakes poker games, including Pot Limit Omaha. Reports indicate that an individual named Arthur Kats ran the operation under Arenas' direction, managing the logistics of the games, securing co-conspirators, and collecting rent from them on Arenas’ behalf. These events allegedly involved collecting a rake and hiring young women to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to the attendees. Other personnel included chefs, valets, and armed security guards, all purportedly part of the operation. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each charge. Since Arenas faces three counts, he could potentially receive a maximum prison term of 15 years. The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorney Samuel J. Diaz from the Transnational Organized Crime Section. Arenas, aged 43, had a notable NBA career spanning 11 seasons from 2001 to 2012, primarily recognized for his time with the Washington Wizards, where he achieved significant accolades including three All-Star selections and three All-NBA team memberships during a dominant stretch from 2004 to 2007. Over his career, Arenas averaged 20.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. In recent years, he has gained popularity as a podcaster, particularly with his show 'Gil's Arena,' which boasts over one million subscribers on YouTube.