After being arrested for allegedly holding high-stakes illegal poker games, Gilbert Arenas was elated when he was released from prison on Wednesday.
The former NBA player can be seen dancing and pumping his hands in the air as he descends stairs outside what looks to be a Los Angeles prison center in a video that was uploaded to X. “Free” and “you better not” are jokingly uttered by the camerawoman, who is wearing shorts and a t-shirt, as Arenas approaches her.
After posting a $50,000 bond, Arenas says, “They can’t hold me,” grinning broadly as he approaches the camera. Federal prosecutors claim that from September 2021 to July 2022, the former Washington Wizards guard and five of his associates rented out his Encino mansion to host high-stakes poker games.
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 feds, Arenas employed a person to assist him in converting his crib into a gambling den so he could earn money by collecting rent. Additionally, it has been reported that Arenas’ associates employed chefs, waitresses, valets, and security personnel to enhance the allure of the games for gamblers, thereby encouraging their return.
The “rake,” a fee the house collected from each pot, either as a percentage or a set amount every hand, is how the prosecutors claim Arenas and the others made money off the illicit enterprise. The former professional athlete entered a not guilty plea to the accusations.
