Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has broken his silence following his arrest on charges related to an alleged illegal gambling operation in Encino, California.
Arenas, 43, was arrested on July 30 and later released on a $50,000 bond.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Arenas danced down a staircase, saying, “They can’t hold me,” and captioned the clip, “I’m back on the streets 🗣️ This ain't got shyt to do with me. Just rented the house. Wasn’t apart.”
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
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Central California, Arenas and five others are accused of running a high-stakes illegal poker ring out of a rented mansion. The charges include one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating such a business, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. Arenas pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for September 23.
The indictment also names Yevgeni “Giora” Gershman, an alleged Israeli organized crime member, who is accused of recruiting young women to serve drinks, offer massages, and provide companionship during the poker games. Organizers reportedly took a cut from the women’s tips and the game pots.
Arenas’ attorney, Jerome Friedberg, urged the public to respect Arenas' presumption of innocence, saying, “He has the same right as any other citizen.”
This isn’t Arenas’ first controversy involving card games. In 2009, he was suspended from the NBA after a locker room incident involving guns and a gambling dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton.
The case has once again put the former All-Star under legal scrutiny as federal prosecutors prepare for trial.
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