Gilbert Arenas, Michael Jordan, an…
This week, Washington Wizards alum Gilbert Arenas was arrested and charged alongside five other individuals in connection with an alleged illegal gambling business involving what prosecutors have described as “high-stakes poker games.”
The Gil’s Arena host has since been released on bond, a development he celebrated by jokingly saying “they can’t hold me” in a brief video shared to social media.
Following this latest gambling scandal to be associated with an NBA star, which came in the wake of casino-related allegations against former Cleveland Cavaliers player Marcus Morris, we’re taking a look back at some similar controversies from the past. Worth noting, of course, is that such controversies are not exclusive to the NBA, as MLB and NFL players have also found themselves embroiled in comparable situations over the years.
Below, we dig a little deeper into a selection of headlines-dominating NBA gambling scandals, starting with a look back at a referee who ultimately did time after admitting guilt in a betting scheme.
In 2007, Tim Donaghy, a former referee, pleaded guilty to felony charges in connection with a betting scheme in which he instructed others on who whey should put their money behind. Donaghy later claimed he and his family were targeted with mob threats.
“No, I enjoy it. It’s a hobby,” Michael Jordan said in a 1993 interview when asked whether he had “a gambling problem.”
At the time, Jordan had been in headlines in connection with a trip to Atlantic City. Unlike others on this list, Jordan has never been accused of a crime with regards to gambling. However, his affinity for gambling has long been the source of interest from some members of the general public. Even Drake recently joked about the NBA legend’s fondness for the pastime.
New York Knicks alum Charles Oakley was arrested in 2018 in connection with alleged gambling fraud. Later that year, Oakley pleaded no contest to what attorneys said at the time was a “simple misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct,” which meant the would-be issue had been formally resolved.
Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA in April 2024 for league rule violations including “disclosing confidential information to sports bettors.” Later that year, Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, offering an apology while also conceding that what he did “was wrong [and] unlawful.”
In June of this year, Associated Press and ESPN sources were cited as saying that Malik Beasley was a subject of a gambling investigation stemming from New York.
“At this point, Malik has not been charged with any crime and there has been no formal accusations of wrongdoing,” a legal rep said, adding that the public should give the “presumption of innocence.”
The current status of the reported investigation is unknown.
Marcus Morris Sr. was arrested at an airport in Florida this week, with fraud initially cited as the charge against him. His brother, Markieff Morris, was quick to dispute the allegation, as was agent Yony Noy. Additional details were later made public, namely that Morris’ arrest stemmed from an alleged $265,000 casino debt.
“Say what you want but FRAUD will never be something I’m a part of or wasting my time with,” Marcus later said in a since-removed Instagram update, adding that “no money was exchanged or taken from any casino.”
Also this month, Gilbert Arenas was arrested alongside five other defendants in connection with an alleged illegal gambling business focused on “high-stakes poker games,” per prosecutors. Arenas, now out on bond, is charged with the following: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.