Nevada prosecutors have charged a former DraftKings sports trader with felony gaming offenses over an alleged prop-betting scheme tied to Fresno State men’s basketball, according to Nevada Gaming Control Board records obtained by ESPN. Samuel Silverman, who was arrested May 5 in Las Vegas, faces charges of commission of a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game, each a Class C felony carrying one to five years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.
The case centers on a Jan. 7, 2025 matchup between Fresno State and Colorado State, in which former Fresno State forward Mykell Robinson allegedly manipulated his own performance to ensure a series of under bets on his individual stat line would cash. Robinson finished with three points, two rebounds, zero assists and one 3-pointer in just 21 minutes of play — matching the under on every prop bet placed against him.
Suspicious Activity Flagged by BetMGM
Investigators say BetMGM’s sportsbook flagged three unusual parlay wagers ahead of the game, all targeting the under on Robinson’s points (10.5), assists (2.5), rebounds (5.5) and made 3-pointers (1.5). The bets, totaling $2,200 at +625 odds, were reportedly placed by Matthew J. Martin, a former DraftKings sports trader and Silverman’s roommate, and paid out a net $15,950 once Robinson’s line came in as predicted.
According to the state’s investigation, the proceeds were then distributed among the group: Martin allegedly kept $11,325, Silverman $3,000, Robinson $1,425 and former Fresno State guard Steven Vasquez $200. Text messages cited in the case show Robinson telling Vasquez in advance that he would limit his playing time and production during the game.
NCAA Fallout and Industry Response
The NCAA declared Robinson, Vasquez and a third player, Jalen Weaver, permanently ineligible last September for gambling violations, also finding that Robinson placed 13 daily fantasy prop bets between December 2024 and January 2025. DraftKings confirmed Silverman and Martin worked as sports traders in its Las Vegas office but said neither had a role in setting college basketball lines, adding that an internal review turned up no evidence that company information was misused or that customers were harmed.
“The alleged activity at issue did not occur on DraftKings’ platform, and the individuals involved are no longer employed by the company,” a DraftKings spokesperson said in a statement. The Nevada Gaming Control Board says its investigation is ongoing, with additional suspects still under scrutiny, reviving broader questions about whether sportsbooks should keep offering player prop markets on college athletes given the integrity risks the case exposes.
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