Was Gilbert Arenas Involved in FBI Gambling Investigation? Ex-NBA Star Threatens Legal Action Over Informant Allegations

Hours after the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones, and 31 others for their alleged roles in a large-scale sports gambling operation, rumors emerged online alleging that Gilbert Arenas served as an FBI informant, leading to the arrests.

Arenas addressed the claims on Instagram on October 25, warning that he would pursue legal action against anyone spreading falsehoods linking him to the probe. “Some of y’all defamed me. I don’t know if I’m gonna be the bigger person and let it go or I’m gonna sue. I’ve won six, seven defamation lawsuits—so you know I know that,” he said.

In a seven-minute video, Arenas clarified that his only legal issue was a previous gambling case in California involving private poker games at his Encino home. He was indicted on July 30 on three federal counts—conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators—and later released on bond after pleading not guilty.

“I don’t know how that connects to someone hurting their foot and betting on bad games in 2024,” he stated, adding that he had not interacted with NBA players “since we bounced that basketball.” Arenas reiterated his intention to file defamation suits in his caption: “Defamation Lawsuit against anyone who made it seem like I’m a part of this case will be SUED.”

On his Gil’s Arena podcast, Arenas further rejected claims of being an informant, quipping, “I watch enough movies to know the last group you want to snitch on is the mafia… I like my YouTuber career.”

Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on October 23 that more than 30 arrests were made in a coordinated operation across 11 states. The NBA placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave.

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