Vegas Heat: Antoine Walker, Ex-NBA Star, Facing Trial Over $1 Million Gambling Debt

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (CBS/AP) Former three-time NBA All-Star Antoine Walker allegedly failed to repay nearly $1 million in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos. On Monday, a judge ordered Walker to face trial on felony bad check charges.

A somber-looking Walker said nothing when he appeared before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson.  The judge made sure to mention Walker's failed progress to repay sums totaling $770,000 that he owes on a promise last November to pay $905,050 for court fees, penalties and restitution. At the time, Walker handed over $135,000, which was the bail he posted after he was arrested last July at a celebrity golf outing.

The former Miami Heat forward faces three criminal bad check charges that, if he's convicted, could carry up to 12 years in prison, or as little as probation. 

Walker used $1 million in gambling loans between July 2008 and January 2009 at Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace and the Red Rock Resort. In accordance with Nevada law, unpaid gambling loans or markers are considered bad checks and handled by the district attorney's office for prosecution.

Walker filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida last month, claiming $12.7 million in liabilities and $4.3 million in assets, which also includes his 2006 NBA Championship ring he earned with the Miami Heat. Those filings complicated the Las Vegas criminal case, according to head of the Clark County district attorney's bad check unit, Bernie Zadrowski.

Walker remains free without bail awaiting his arraignment in Nevada state court June 30.