NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested for Links to Illegal Gambling, Later Released

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and five others were arrested in connection with a federal indictment accusing them of running an illegal gambling operation. The scheme reportedly involved high-stakes poker games held at a mansion in Encino owned by Arenas.

Arenas Was Arrested on Suspicion of Illegal Gambling Ring Involvement

Arenas, 43, also known as “Agent Zero” and a resident of Woodland Hills, faces three charges: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance and be arraigned this afternoon in the US District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Also charged in the indictment and arrested today in connection with the illegal gambling business charges are: Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a.k.a. “Giora,” of Woodland Hills; a suspected organized crime figure from Israel; Evgenni Tourevski, 48, a.k.a. “Eugene,” of Tarzana; Allan Austria, 52, a.k.a. “Elica,” of West Hills; Yarin Cohen, 27, a.k.a. “YC,” of Tarzana; and Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana. Each of these defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. 

A Murder Case Connected to the Illegal Gambling Ring Led to Arenas’ Arrest

In 2023, 39-year-old Emil Lahaziel was fatally shot in the face outside a luxury rental home in the Hollywood Hills during a high-stakes poker game. His body was discovered on a staircase in the early morning hours of June 7, outside the residence on Fareholm Drive.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the investigation into Lahaziel’s death led LAPD detectives to uncover connections between a series of underground poker games held in upscale mansions across Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the Hollywood Hills. What began as a homicide inquiry soon revealed a broader illegal gambling network, with some games hosted in homes rented by influencers and staffed with bartenders, private chefs, and women allegedly providing “companionship.”

It is important to note, however, that authorities have confirmed that Arenas is not suspected of any involvement in the murder and was not present at the poker game where the fatal shooting occurred.

Arenas Was Released a Day After

The former NBA star was released a day after his arrest on a $50,000 bond, and he appeared to be celebrating the occasion, posting a video on Twitter (formerly X) talking about the situation. The video shows him dancing down the steps of the precinct, pumping his fists and chanting, “They can’t hold me.” In the accompanying caption, Arenas wrote, “I’m back on the streets. This ain’t got shyt to do with me — just rented the house. Wasn’t apart [of it].”

However, Prosecutors allege that between September 2021 and July 2022, Gilbert Arenas permitted his Los Angeles mansion to be used for high-stakes poker games and instructed an associate to manage the operation. This reportedly included hiring staff, collecting a house cut from each hand, and ensuring rent was paid.

Arenas is scheduled to return to court on September 23. If convicted, each charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years. For now, Arenas maintains his innocence, insisting he was not directly involved in the gambling operation.