Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has poked fun at his arrest for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation after sharing a video on social media.
The case against him was announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California on Wednesday afternoon.
However, during a court appearance, Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released pending trial after paying a $50,000 (£38,000) bond.
The former Wizards star swiftly took to social media to address fans and followers for the first time, as he triumphantly claimed: ‘They can’t hold me’.
A video posted by Arenas showed him leaving the police department and walking down a set of stairs, while a woman behind the camera shouted: ‘Free!’
The caption to the post, on Arenas’ Instagram, read: ‘Im Back on the Block like its H๏τ. This aint got s*** to do with me ‘just rented the house’
Gilbert Arenas has poked fun at his arrest for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation
Former Wizards star Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released pending trial on Wednesday
Im Back on the Streets 🗣️This aint got shyt to do with me ‘ just rented the house’ Wasnt apart pic.twitter.com/ALjozzhzoY
— Gilbert Arenas (@NoChillGilZero) July 31, 2025
‘Wasnt apart of the Festivities. #SnitchingGilComingSOON’.
Named alongside Arenas – known in his playing days as ‘Agent Zero’ – are five co-conspirators who have been charged with operating and illegal gambling business.
The other five people charged are as follows: Israeli suspected organized crime figure Yevgeni Gershman, 49, Evgenni Tourevski, 48, Allan Austria, 52, Yarin Cohen, 27, and Ievgen Krachun, 43. Along with Arenas, those five were detained without incident by LAPD, Homeland Security, and the IRS.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Arenas was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon after appearing in a Los Angeles court for the first time. Trial is scheduled for September 23.
An unsealed indictment reveals that from September 2021 to July 2022, Arenas rented out a mansion that he owned in Encino – north of Hollywood – ‘for the purpose of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games’, according to officials.
The US Attorney’s Office says a man named Arthur Kats staged the mansion to host the games ‘at Arenas’ direction’ and also ‘found co-conspirators to host the games, and collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas’ behalf.’
Officials say that the operation even included a poker felt labeled ‘ARENAS POKER CLUB’ – featuring an image of Arenas in his basketball uniform and his No. 0.
Arenas is accused of renting out this Encino mansion that he owned to house the operation
While a member of the Wizards, Arenas was investigated for bringing a firearm into the team’s locker room. He was sentenced to two-years probation and 30 days in a halfway house. The NBA suspended him for 50 games in the 2009-10 season.
‘Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen managed illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games, among other illegal games, at the Encino mansion, collected a “rake” – a fee the house charged from each pot either as a percentage or a fixed amount per hand – and invited players to compete,’ officials say.
Krachun, meanwhile, worked as a “chip runner” – tracking the wins and losses of the players involved, distributing poker chips, and paying employees.
Gershman has been accused of hiring young women to serve drinks, provide mᴀssages, and offer companionship to the players in exchange for tips. These women were also charged a ‘tax’ – a percentage of their earnings from working the games. Additionally, chefs, valets, and armed security guards were hired.
More to follow…
