• Gilbert Arenas was arrested for running an illegal high-stakes poker operation at his Encino mansion from 2021 to 2022.
• Five co-conspirators, including a suspected organized crime figure, were also charged and detained.
• Arenas faces up to five years in prison per charge, adding to his history of legal troubles and controversies.

In a startling development, former NBA standout Gilbert Arenas, once a star guard for the Washington Wizards, now finds himself at the center of a federal investigation. Authorities have arrested Arenas, infamously known during his playing days as “Agent Zero,” on charges related to running a clandestine and unlawful gambling ring out of his upscale Encino mansion in Los Angeles. This shocking news emerged on a Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California publicly announced the charges.

Arenas isn’t facing these allegations alone. Five others have been charged alongside him for their involvement in the illegal operation. Together, they stand accused of conspiring to run and actively operating an underground gambling business. This is a serious crime that carries hefty penalties.

The Cast of Co-Conspirators and the Nature of the Gambling Ring

The other five individuals implicated in the scheme include Yevgeni Gershman, 49, believed to have ties to organized crime in Israel; Evgenni Tourevski, 48; Allan Austria, 52; Yarin Cohen, 27; and Ievgen Krachun, 43. According to law enforcement, all six were taken into custody peacefully by a task force. The task force was made up of LAPD, Homeland Security, and IRS agents.

Each faces two federal charges: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and the actual operation of said business. Conviction on either charge could result in a maximum sentence of five years behind bars. This underscores the gravity of their alleged activities.

A Mansion Turned Gambling Den: How It All Went Down

According to a detailed indictment that was recently unsealed, the illegal poker games were hosted between September 2021 and July 2022 at a lavish mansion Arenas owned in the affluent Encino neighborhood, just north of Hollywood. The property, located at 4550 Gable Drive, boasts five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool, a hot tub, a sprawling kitchen, and a three-car garage. Arenas sold this estate for $3.1 million in December 2022, shortly after the gambling operation is believed to have ended. Before selling, he had initially tried listing it for as much as $3.8 million.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that a man named Arthur Kats managed the property on Arenas’ behalf. He organized the high-stakes poker games and recruited others to help run them. Notably, a custom poker felt emblazoned with the name “ARENAS POKER CLUB” was used during the games. It featured an image of Arenas in his iconic basketball uniform and his No. 0 jersey. This added a personal and perhaps defiant touch to the secretive operation.

How the Illegal Games Worked: The Players Behind the Scenes

The indictment paints a vivid picture of how the poker ring functioned. Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen were responsible for overseeing “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games—one of the most popular and strategic poker variants—as well as other unlawful gambling activities within the mansion. They collected a “rake,” a fee taken from each pot either as a fixed amount or a percentage. This is a common practice in legal poker rooms but strictly illegal in unlicensed settings.

Ievgen Krachun played a key role as the “chip runner.” He tracked players’ wins and losses, managed the distribution of poker chips, and handled payments to the employees involved. In other words, Krachun was vital in maintaining the financial flow and integrity of the illicit games.

Moreover, Gershman is accused of orchestrating a more lavish experience for high-rolling players. He allegedly hired young women to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to the gamblers in exchange for tips. However, these women were reportedly forced to pay a “tax”—a percentage of their earnings—back to the operation. This further demonstrates the exploitative nature of the business. The mansion also employed chefs, valets, and armed security personnel to maintain an exclusive, high-end atmosphere.

Additional Charges Against Yevgeni Gershman

Gershman’s legal troubles don’t stop with illegal gambling. He faces three more serious charges: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making false statements on immigration documents. Prosecutors allege that Gershman and a woman named Valentina Cojocari, 35, conspired to enter into a sham marriage to help her obtain permanent legal residency in the United States.

Arenas’ Troubled History with the Law and Controversies

This is far from the first time Gilbert Arenas has found himself in hot water with the law. Most notably, during the 2009-10 NBA season, he was suspended for 50 games after a shocking incident. In this incident, he brought a loaded firearm into the Washington Wizards locker room and brandished it during a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton. That episode, rooted in gambling debts, led to police charges of carrying a pistol without a license. Arenas was eventually sentenced to two years probation and served 30 days in a halfway house.

In another troubling incident, the LAPD arrested Arenas in 2013 for possession of illegal fireworks. Beyond his legal troubles, Arenas has also sparked controversy with his public remarks on race and basketball. His outspoken, often incendiary comments about European players and international stars have ignited debates within the sports community.

For example, after Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green punched then-Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in December 2023, Arenas appeared to endorse Green’s aggressive stance against European players. “He’s taking care of these Euros one at a time,” Arenas said. Praising Green with a mix of humor and hostility, he showed disdain toward international players. The remarks were widely condemned as divisive and racist.

Similarly, prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arenas made disparaging remarks about the South Sudan national team. He mocked their performance and belittled the country’s resources in a way that many viewed as disrespectful and offensive. Though he issued an apology after being publicly called out by former NBA star Luol Deng, critics saw it as a half-hearted effort.

Personal Tragedy Hits Close to Home

Amidst all these legal battles and controversies, Arenas’ family has faced its own hardships. His son, Alijah Arenas, a promising freshman basketball player at the University of Southern California, recently suffered a serious knee injury requiring surgery. It will sideline him for six to eight months.

The injury came after a frightening Tesla Cybertruck accident. Alijah lost control of the vehicle, crashed into a tree, and had to escape through the driver’s side window. This occurred after the car caught fire. The young athlete was hospitalized for a week, placed in a medically induced coma due to smoke inhalation, but thankfully survived without major long-term injuries.

Public Outcry and What Lies Ahead

The news of Gilbert Arenas’ alleged involvement in illegal gambling has sent shockwaves through both the sports and local communities. Fans who once admired his electrifying style on the court are now grappling with the fall of a former hero. Social media is abuzz with criticism and disbelief, while others express sympathy for the personal struggles his family faces.

Legal experts say the charges are serious and highlight a growing crackdown on underground gambling rings that have flourished during the pandemic years. These rings were fueled by private gatherings and online platforms. For Arenas, the court battle ahead will be a test of his resilience and reputation. Should he be convicted, the consequences could dramatically alter the course of his post-NBA life.

As the legal proceedings unfold, one thing remains clear: the story of Gilbert Arenas is a cautionary tale of fame, fortune, and the dangerous allure of illegal enterprises. Whether he will be able to bounce back from this latest scandal remains to be seen, but for now, the former basketball star faces an uncertain future. He faces challenges both in court and in the court of public opinion.