Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is dealing with critical authorized hassle after being indicted in reference to an unlawful playing ring based mostly in Southern California. According to federal prosecutors, Arenas and several other others allegedly ran underground poker video games out of his Encino mansion, turning the property right into a high-end venue for high-stakes playing between late 2021 and mid-2022.

Authorities say the operation went far past informal video games. Arenas is accused of working with others to prepare and revenue from the occasions, which reportedly featured employed workers, together with servers, cooks, valets, and safety. Prosecutors additionally declare that Arenas introduced in a 51-year-old affiliate to assist handle the setup and accumulate lease from the gamers.

The alleged playing ring was found throughout a raid in 2022, when LAPD officers and federal brokers discovered greater than two dozen gamers and a dozen workers members at Arenas’ dwelling. Officials consider the group was incomes cash by taking a portion from every pot performed throughout the video games.

“Gilbert Arenas was arrested in Southern California on Wednesday after authorities say he ran an illegal gambling business,” based on court docket information obtained by NBC.

In complete, Arenas and 5 different people are dealing with two expenses every: conspiracy to function an unlawful playing enterprise and working an unlawful playing enterprise. Each cost carries a doable five-year jail sentence. In addition, Arenas has been hit with a separate cost for allegedly mendacity to federal investigators throughout the probe.

The 43-year-old former Washington Wizards participant is at the moment in custody and was scheduled to look in court docket afterward Wednesday. The case continues to be creating, with extra info anticipated to emerge within the coming days because the investigation continues.