Gilbert Arenas Faces Federal Charges Over Alleged Illegal Gambling Ring

Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is now at the center of a federal case alleging he helped run an illegal poker operation out of a rented mansion in Encino, California.

Good to know

• Arenas is charged with conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements.
• Prosecutors tie the poker games to suspected organized crime associates.
• The games allegedly included rake collections, hired entertainers, and high-stakes cash play.

Federal prosecutors allege Arenas instructed Arthur Kats, a co-defendant, to organize and manage poker games at the luxury property. According to the indictment, Kats handled preparations and rent collection for the mansion, while other men assisted in running the operation.

Authorities named several individuals as co-defendants, including:

1. Yevgeni Gershman, described as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel
2. Evgenni Tourevski
3. Allan Austria
4. Yarin Cohen
5. Ievgen Krachun

Prosecutors say the group collected a rake from poker prize pools, recruited players, and hired women to serve drinks, give massages, and socialize with gamblers—taking a share of the women’s earnings as well.

This is not Arenas’ first high-profile legal issue. In 2009, while playing for the Washington Wizards, he was suspended by the NBA after bringing firearms into the team’s locker room during a dispute with a teammate. That incident led to a guilty plea on a gun charge and remains one of the most infamous moments of his career.

No attorneys were listed for Arenas or the other defendants in court filings as of Wednesday. The case will proceed in Los Angeles federal court.

Arenas, 43, is widely known for his years with the Washington Wizards and his current role as host of the Gil’s Arena podcast, which Underdog Fantasy renewed earlier this year. Arenas is known to be a poker fanatic. It was already back in 2014 that the three-time NBA all-star was seen trying to find his luck at the poker tables competing at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $10K Main Event in a bid to win the $10 million guaranteed prize.

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