Former NBA Star Arenas Arrested in High-Stakes Illegal Gambling Bust
Posted on: July 30, 2025, 04:26h.
Last updated on: July 31, 2025, 10:59h.
- Arenas facing up to 15 years in prison
- Allegedly hosted illegal poker games at an Encino mansion he owned
- Five other people arrested in gambling bust, including suspected organized crime figure
Former NBA superstar Gilbert Arenas, along with five other defendants, was arrested today in Los Angeles for allegedly operating an illegal gambling business.
Maximum 15 Years in Prison
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, Arenas was involved in high-stakes poker games that were played at an Encino, California, mansion that Arenas owned.
The illegal gambling business was operated from September 2021 to July 2022.
Arenas, 43, 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. If convicted, Arenas could face up to 15 years in prison.
He was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in a Los Angeles court.
Illegal High-Stakes Poker Games
Also charged in the indictment released today and arrested in connection with the illegal gambling business was Yevgeni Gershman, 49, Evgenni Tourevski, 48, Allan Austria, 52, Yarin Cohen, 27, and Ievgen Krachun, 43.
Gershman is a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.
Each of the five defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
According to the indictment, Arenas rented out the Encino mansion to host the poker games. Under Arenas’ direction, Arthur Kats, 51, staged the mansion to host the games, and found co-conspirators to host the games. Kats collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas’ behalf.
Suspected Organized Crime Figure
The defendants managed illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games, among other illegal games, and collected a rake fee – a fee the house charged from each pot – inviting players to compete.
Gershman hired young women who served drinks, provided massages, and “offered companionship” to players, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement. The women were charged a tax from their earnings. The events were also staffed by armed security, chefs, and valets.
Arenas Arrested Today
Krachun tracked player’s wins and losses as a “chip runner”, distributed chips to players and paid employees.
Gershman was also charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud and making a false statement on an immigration document over allegations he conspired with a woman named Valentina Cojocari, 35, of Woodland Hills to enter into a sham marriage for the purposes of obtaining permanent legal status in the United States.
Cojocari was paid by Gershman to participate in the sham marriage. She was also charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document. She was also arrested today.
Arenas, who had a ten-year NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies, was a three-time NBA All-Star, three-time member of the All-NBA Team and was voted the NBA Most Improved Player in the 2002-2003 season.
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