A former DraftKings sportsbook trader is facing felony charges in Las Vegas over an alleged prop-betting scheme involving advance knowledge that Fresno State basketball player Mykell Robinson intended to underperform.
Samuel Silverman was arrested May 5 following an investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) into suspicious wagers linked to a wider college basketball gambling scandal that blew up in February 2025.
A subsequent NCAA investigation resulted in permanent bans for Robinson and former teammates Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver in September 2025.
The NCAA found that Robinson and Vasquez conspired to place wagers on Robinson’s planned underperformance in a January 2025 game against Colorado State.
Robinson intentionally altered his play to ensure that bets on his statistical “unders” won, while Vasquez helped coordinate the wagers and distribute the proceeds, according to the NCAA.
Weaver, meanwhile, admitted exchanging player-prop information with Robinson and placing a $50 daily fantasy parlay involving his own performance, Robinson’s performance, and that of another college basketball player. The wager returned $260.
Silverman is the only person publicly known to have been charged in the Nevada investigation, although the NGCB has said it is pursuing cases against several additional suspects.
Suspicious Betting Patterns
The NCAA investigation began after a Nevada sportsbook flagged suspicious wagers on Fresno State’s 91-64 loss to Colorado State on Jan. 7, 2025.
Before the game, Robinson told Vasquez, his former Fresno State roommate who was then playing for San Jose State, that he intended to finish below several statistical betting lines, according to the NCAA.
Robinson, Vasquez, and an unidentified third party wagered a combined $2,200 on Robinson finishing under projections for points, rebounds, assists, and made three-pointers, the NCAA found.
The three bets generated a combined payout of $15,950. Robinson played 21 minutes, attempted four shots, and finished with three points, two rebounds, no assists, and one made three-pointer.
Nevada investigators allege another former DraftKings trader, Matthew J. Martin, placed three suspicious wagers through BetMGM. Martin was Silverman’s roommate and colleague, while Silverman had previously served as a Fresno State men’s basketball team manager, according to ESPN.
Silverman is accused of stumping up the money for the wagers and later distributing the winnings. Investigators traced the alleged arrangement through financial records, payment accounts, cellphone evidence, and information obtained from licensed sportsbooks.
DraftKings Responds
In a statement to ESPN, DraftKings said the bets were not placed through its platform and that Silverman and Martin were no longer employed by DraftKings.
“We strongly condemn the alleged conduct of these former employees and remain committed to protecting the integrity of sports and sports betting,” the company added.
Silverman faces charges of committing a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing August 4.
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