Gilbert Arenas Denies Informant Claims in Gambling Investigations

Gilbert Arenas says he did not act as an informant in the recent gambling-related arrests tied to underground poker and betting operations. The former NBA All-Star joked online about the situation, which fueled speculation, but he later said the jokes were not admissions.

Good to Know

• Arenas faces his own federal charges tied to private poker games.
• Authorities have charged multiple NBA figures in separate schemes.
• Arenas says his situation is unrelated to the alleged rigged poker ring.

Arenas was arrested in June for hosting high-stakes poker games in Los Angeles between 2021 and 2022. Federal prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to run an illegal gambling operation, operating an illegal gambling operation, and making false statements to investigators.

He drew attention when he appeared on his podcast holding a bag labeled Informant Lunch and posted a photo of it online. Some viewers believed he was hinting that he provided authorities with information tied to the separate investigation involving Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who is accused of helping coordinate rigged poker games.

Arenas pushed back against that idea. He said:

“I didn’t get to eat it over there, I was talking too much. The Blazers was not going to win anyway, the last thing they needed was their coach!”

The humor led to speculation that he tipped off investigators. He later clarified the joke. He said:

“This is one thing I do: troll. Tell on somebody? I do not do that.”

Two Separate Cases

Federal filings describe two different gambling setups:

1. One involved high-stakes poker at Arenas’s residence, with no claims of rigged play.
2. The other involved allegedly manipulated games designed to cheat wealthy participants.

The rigged poker investigation also ties into a broader sports betting ring, with links to organized crime families, according to authorities.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested in connection with the sports betting operation. Former NBA player and current Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones faces charges in both the poker manipulation and sports betting cases.

Arenas has denied involvement in those cases and said his situation does not overlap with them. He said:

“Come on, man, why yall putting me in something like this? This is a whole different level.”

Arenas’s poker setup reportedly included a custom-made Arenas Poker Club table featuring an image of him mid-jumper in a basketball uniform.

FAQ

Is Arenas accused of rigging games?

No. Prosecutors allege he hosted illegal poker games, not that the games were fixed.

What did the viral bag joke mean?

Arenas said it was trolling, not evidence of cooperation.

Who faces charges in the rigged poker case?

Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones are among those accused in the separate manipulated poker scheme.