Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested over illegal poker ring
Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged in connection with a major illegal gambling ring operating out of Los Angeles, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). On 30 July 2025, federal agents arrested Arenas alongside five others, including Yevgeni Gershman—a suspected figure in Israeli organised crime—following a federal investigation into high-stakes underground poker games.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California confirmed the arrests and unsealing of an indictment that points to an illegal gambling business in which high-stakes poker games were played at an Encino mansion Arenas owned. Those named under the indictment were:
- 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.
What are the charges?
All six are charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. The defendants’ initial appearances and arraignments have been scheduled. According to the indictment, from September 2021 to July 2022, Arenas rented out his mansion to host high-stakes poker games, complete with professional-grade staging by Arthur Kats, who sourced co-conspirators and collected rent on Arenas’s behalf. But Kats has not been charged in this indictment.
“Arenas rented out an Encino mansion he owned for the purpose of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games. At Arenas’s direction, Arthur Kats, 51, of West Hollywood, staged the mansion to host the games, found co-conspirators to host the games and collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas’s behalf,” the Justice Department said.
Attendees often gambled huge sums, and organisers—Gershman, Tourevski, Austria and Cohen—took a “rake,” a cut of each pot or a fixed fee per hand. Meanwhile, Krachun was a “chip runner,” distributing chips and managing payroll, according to DOJ. Chefs, valets, security guards and staff who served food and drinks were all reportedly on the payroll.
From NBA hero to alleged gambling operator
Gilbert Arenas, also known as ‘Agent Zero’, made a name for himself in the NBA with the Washington Wizards. He built his reputation as a high-scoring leader for the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards through the early 2000s, earning three All-Star selections and a Most Improved Player award in 2003. However, his career was overshadowed by a notorious December 2009 locker‑room incident in which he and teammate Javaris Crittenton brought firearms over a card‑game dispute during a team flight, culminating in felony gun charges that led to his suspension for the remainder of the 2009–10 NBA season and a conviction for unlicensed pistol possession. He has been largely out of the spotlight since retiring from basketball.
Back in limelight for the current scandal, prosecutors allege that the former athlete used his fame and connections to bring in wealthy players and profit from the underground gambling ring. He now faces three serious federal charges. These are conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
Gershman, a Woodland Hills resident, is also a suspected figure in a major Israeli transnational organised crime ring. The indictment paints him as one of the central managers of the poker enterprise. He allegedly hired women to provide “companionship” to players, took tips, and demanded a cut, referred to as a “tip tax.” Federal authorities also allege that Gershman used the poker ring not just for gambling but potentially to launder money and extend his criminal influence into Southern California. Additionally, Gershman and Valentina Cojocari were also charged with marriage fraud, so that Gershman could stay in the US legally. The DOJ says he lied on immigration documents about his criminal past and plans to gamble.
NBA’s recent history with gambling scandals
Last month, Malik Beasley’s NBA career took an unexpected hit. The Detroit Pistons guard, who recently finished a strong season, is now under federal investigation over allegations linking him to gambling on NBA games and player prop bets. The news has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, raising questions about Beasley’s future, the current state of sports betting, and what lies ahead for one of the league’s top shooters.
Beasley’s situation is further complicated by the NBA’s recent history with gambling scandals. Just over a year ago, Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned for life after admitting to betting on games and sharing insider information with gamblers. Porter later pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing. While there’s no confirmation that Beasley’s case is directly connected to Porter’s, the league is clearly on high alert for any hint of impropriety.
