Ex-DraftKings Trader Charged in Fresno State Prop Betting Scheme That Netted Nearly $16,000

A former DraftKings sports trader has been charged with felony gaming offenses in connection with an alleged prop-betting scheme involving Fresno State men’s basketball, according to Nevada Gaming Control Board records obtained by ESPN. Samuel Silverman, 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 — Class C felonies carrying one to five years in prison. Silverman has pleaded not guilty.

The alleged scheme centered on a Jan. 7, 2025 game between Fresno State and Colorado State, in which former Fresno State forward Mykell Robinson is accused of intentionally underperforming to cash under bets placed on his individual statistics. Robinson finished with just three points, two rebounds, no assists and one 3-pointer in 21 minutes, exactly aligning with the under on parlays targeting each of those categories.

How the Bets Were Flagged

According to investigators, BetMGM identified three suspicious parlay bets ahead of the game backing the under on Robinson’s points (10.5), assists (2.5), rebounds (5.5) and made 3-pointers (1.5). The wagers, totaling $2,200 at +625 odds, were allegedly placed by Matthew J. Martin, another former DraftKings sports trader and Silverman’s roommate. When Robinson’s stat line came in exactly as bet, the parlays paid out a net $15,950.

Investigators allege the payout was then distributed among the conspirators: Martin received $11,325, Silverman $3,000, Robinson $1,425 and former Fresno State guard Steven Vasquez $200. Text messages cited in the investigation show Robinson telling Vasquez ahead of the game that he would only play in the first half and that his production would be minimal.

Fallout for the Players and the Industry

The NCAA ruled last September that Robinson, Vasquez and a third Fresno State player, Jalen Weaver, were permanently ineligible for gambling-related violations, finding that Robinson also placed 13 prop bets on daily fantasy platforms between December 2024 and January 2025. DraftKings confirmed that Silverman and Martin worked as sports traders in the company’s Las Vegas office but said neither had responsibilities setting college basketball odds, adding that an internal review found no evidence any proprietary information was used or that customers were affected.

“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. The Nevada Gaming Control Board says its investigation remains active, with additional suspects still under scrutiny and further criminal charges possible. The case adds fresh urgency to the debate over whether sportsbooks should continue offering player prop markets on college athletes, particularly at the lower levels of college basketball where officiating scrutiny and athlete compensation are far less robust than in professional sports.