The candor of Molly Bloom, detailing the verity behind the silver-screen portrayal in Molly's Game, the hit poker film.
Molly Bloom, once ranked as the third best female skier in the country, had an unexpected turn in her life that led her to become embroiled in a high-stakes poker world.
In 2013, Bloom was arrested and charged in connection with an illegal poker game operation in Los Angeles worth around $100 million. The operation involved wealthy individuals and celebrities, and she was later charged federally for her involvement. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Bloom received a lenient sentence after legal representation by lawyer Jim Walden.
The investigation into Bloom's poker operations extended beyond Los Angeles. She was connected by indictment in broader investigations involving Russian mob-linked money-laundering and gambling rings, but no direct charge of money laundering against her is reported.
The most exclusive high-stakes poker game in the world, which Bloom helped run, attracted the attention of the Russian Mafia. The games, including those hosted in New York, required a buy-in of $250,000 with no limit. Some of the world-famous names to allegedly have graced Bloom's secretive tables include Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, and Tobey Maguire.
Despite the glamorous and high-stakes environment, Bloom's life took a darker turn. She became addicted to drugs and stayed involved in the poker games despite the mob's involvement. This tumultuous period in her life is the basis for the movie, "Molly's Game," which is based on Bloom's memoir. Every detail shared in the movie is based on fact, and Bloom's life story is indeed stranger than fiction.
In 2011, Bloom became embroiled in a bankruptcy investigation into an alleged Ponzi scheme run by Bradley Ruderman. The following year, she was arrested as part of an alleged $100 million money-laundering operation using illegal gambling in New York. However, as of 2025, no specific new arrest or money-laundering charges against Bloom in New York are documented in the available sources.
Bloom's life before her involvement in the poker world was far removed from the glitz and glamour. Her mother, Char, was a professional fly-fisher and her brother, Jeremy, was a two-time US Olympic skier and NFL wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Though her life took a dramatic turn, Bloom's story serves as a reminder of the risks and pitfalls that can come with success and fame. Despite her legal troubles, Bloom continues to be a figure of intrigue and fascination in the world of high-stakes poker.
- Molly Bloom, former third-best female skier in the country, was charged federally for her involvement in an illegal poker game operation in Los Angeles worth around $100 million.
- The investigation into Bloom's poker operations extended beyond Los Angeles, connecting her to broader investigations involving Russian mob-linked money-laundering and gambling rings.
- The most exclusive high-stakes poker game in the world, which Bloom helped run, attracted the attention of the Russian Mafia and was hosted in New York, requiring a buy-in of $250,000 with no limit.
- Molly's Game, a movie based on Bloom's memoir, shares every detail of her life, which is indeed stranger than fiction and involves world-famous names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, and Tobey Maguire.
- In general-news, reports indicate that Bloom was embroiled in a bankruptcy investigation into an alleged Ponzi scheme run by Bradley Ruderman in 2011, and arrested the following year as part of an alleged $100 million money-laundering operation using illegal gambling in New York.
- Despite the risks and pitfalls that come with success and fame, Bloom's story serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling and avoiding crime and justice-related issues like accidents, fires, and illegal activities such as sports-betting and lotteries.
- In the realm of casino-and-gambling news, while there are reports of Bloom's legal troubles and alleged involvement in money-laundering operations, as of 2025, no specific new arrest or money-laundering charges against her in New York are documented.
