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Gilbert Arenas arrested for operating illegal gambling business

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Reeko, Jul 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM.

  1. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was among six men arrested Wednesday on a federal indictment that they operated an illegal gambling business at an Encino, California, mansion owned by Arenas. The Justice Department says Arenas is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators.

    According to an indictment returned July 15 and unsealed Wednesday, Arenas and the other defendants are accused of operating an illegal gambling business from September 2021 to July 2022, with Arenas renting out his mansion for the purpose of hosting illegal high-stakes poker games (including "Pot Limit Omaha" games). The defendants are said to have collected a "rake" -- a fee the house charged from each pot -- and staffed the games with young women, chefs, valets, and armed security guards.

    Among the co-conspirators are 49-year old Yevgeni Gershman, who authorities believe to be an Israeli organized crime figure. In addition to the charges stemming from the illegal gambling business, Gershman also faces charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud; marriage fraud; and making a false statement on an immigration document after being accused of conspiring to enter into a sham marriage with 35-year old Valentina Cojocari for the purposes of obtaining permanent legal status in the United States and lying to immigration authorities.

    Additional defendants also include 48-year-old EvgeniiTourevski, 52-year-old Allan Austria, 27-year-old Yarin Cohen, and 43-year-old Ievgen Krachun. If convicted, each of the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count.

    https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...t-in-connection-to-illegal-gambling-business/
     
    #1 Reeko, Jul 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
  2. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    I am ashamed to admit Gilbert Arenas used to be one of my favorite players in the NBA. I thought his life story and his game were fabulous. To this day, I can't think of any other player who could shoot 35-40 foot jumpers with the form of a mid-range shot. His wrists and hands must have been insanely strong.

    The gun incident with Crittenton burst the bubble for me and showed he has a few loose screws.
     
    #2 A_3PO, Jul 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
    Jontro and Saeculum like this.
  3. Aware

    Aware Member

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    i could see running a lil gambling operation you know but running it with the Israeli mafia is a bold move.
     
    #3 Aware, Jul 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
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  4. TimDuncanDonaut

    TimDuncanDonaut Member

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    Was catching up on news after work today. Saw this, and it was pretty shocking since the Feds got involved.

    The issue seems to be he was take a % of the pot which you're not supposed to do. Apparently he was also taking a % of the server's tips.
     
    #4 TimDuncanDonaut, Jul 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
  5. JoeBarelyCares

    JoeBarelyCares Member

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    Not sure how the Justice Department found time to investigate a black ex-NBA player for gambling, when they are spending so much time reviewing the Epstein files for mentions of Trump, taking polygraphs of agents thinking disloyal thoughts about Kash Patel, weeding out DEI and employees who posted or emailed something favorable towards BLM in 2020, and investigating Obama and the other 2016 Russia investigators for treason.
     
    #5 JoeBarelyCares, Jul 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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  6. Shroopy2

    Shroopy2 Member

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    Many years back, Arenas told a story in an article that during a whole season his teammates helped "hide him" wherever they were at, to avoid his girlfriend from getting served child support papers, some legal issue or whatever, but some type of baby mama drama He said it like its fun crazy times, fraternity life on the road, team bonding around that cause

    Sure something like that is funny for a time being. But it also came off kinda immature and exhausting feeling. Like it's all about him, revolving the whole organization around his personal life. I guess charismatic types can have that affect on others. But just seems messiness is part of what he is despite trying to talk all authorative
     
    #6 Shroopy2, Jul 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
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  7. jayland

    jayland Member

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    Sounds like all Arenas did was lend out his mansion for the games in exchange for a cut. He may be able to avoid any serious prison time.

    That marriage fraud guy may be more screwed. He could get sent to Alligator Alcatraz and then deported to a death camp without any trial or legal proceedings.
     
    #7 jayland, Jul 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
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  8. Rokman

    Rokman Member

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    I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious.
     
    #8 Rokman, Jul 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM
  9. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Gilbert is just kind of a lovable loud mouth
    more often than not no one to take too too seriously
    (well outside of basketball particularly)

    Since I'm not majorly Anti-Gambling
    this is just meh to me

    Rocket River
     
    #9 Rocket River, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
  10. hakeemthagreat

    hakeemthagreat Member

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    The Israeli mobsters seem to be the real suspects
     
    #10 hakeemthagreat, Jul 31, 2025 at 8:57 AM
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  11. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Quite literally a gangster DOJ and FBI running around busting "illegal gambling rings" while running pump & dump crypto schemes & other shakedowns on the side for the President, who is in the midst of a months long cover-up of his decades of "friendship" with a notorious human trafficker

    Disgusting.
     
    #11 SamFisher, Jul 31, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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  12. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Seriously, we have a president that screwed children, and we are worried about a poker room? Put me on a jury with Gilbert he walks until the FBI starts doing it's job for child trafficking - no one is guilty.

    DD
     
    #12 DaDakota, Jul 31, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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  13. MystikArkitect

    MystikArkitect Member
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    Gilbert Arenas the podcaster?? Bro seemed like such an upstanding human being. Absolute shocking stuff. Next thing you know Kevin Garnett and Paul George are gonna be wrapped up in illegal stuff. Hopefully not.
     
    #13 MystikArkitect, Jul 31, 2025 at 10:20 AM
  14. jordnnnn

    jordnnnn Member

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    I look forward to a day when you know who is no longer mentioned outside of the D&D.

    Unlikely, but a man can dream.
     
    #14 jordnnnn, Jul 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
  15. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Don't we all.....but can't ignore atrocities because they make you uncomfortable.....got to be informed.

    DD
     
    #15 DaDakota, Jul 31, 2025 at 10:56 AM
  16. jordnnnn

    jordnnnn Member

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    Uh. You are one of the worst culprits. Leaving the discussion of him to the D&D on a basketball forum is not ignoring atrocities, it’s common courtesy to those who don’t give a **** about discussing politics 24/7 and just want to enjoy NBA and NBA related topics in areas of the forum meant for just that.
     
    #16 jordnnnn, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:26 AM
  17. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    rashad mccant's time to shine has finally arrived. gils arena pod is finally his for the taking.
     
    #17 Jontro, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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  18. Fyreball

    Fyreball Member

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    Gil getting got because he was cavorting with an Israeli terrorist is simultaneously the most surprising and least surprising news of 2025. The guy lives on a completely different planet than the rest of us.
     
    #18 Fyreball, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
  19. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Those people are the reason we are here, because they didn't get involved, they need to wake up and help out or their rights will be taken away, nothing wrong with a little nudge ......here and again.

    DD
     
    #19 DaDakota, Jul 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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