Former DraftKings Trader Charged in Fresno State Betting Scheme

A former DraftKings sportsbook trader, Samuel Silverman, faces two felony charges related to an alleged college basketball betting scheme. Silverman was arrested on May 5, 2026, in connection with a plot to manipulate player performance in a Fresno State game, according to the New York Post.

What Happened

Samuel Silverman, formerly a sportsbook trader in DraftKings’ Las Vegas office, has been charged with committing a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game (New York Post). These charges are connected to an alleged college basketball betting scheme. According to ESPN, Silverman was arrested on May 5.

Investigators allege Silverman conspired with Fresno State guard Mykell Robinson, who is accused of deliberately underperforming in the Bulldogs’ January 7, 2025, game against Colorado State (New York Post). Silverman’s alleged role involved facilitating prop bets on Robinson to profit from the player’s statistical shortcomings (New York Post). The alleged operation reportedly also included Robinson’s former teammate Steven Vasquez and another former DraftKings sports trader, Matthew Martin (New York Post).

Key Details

• Samuel Silverman faces two felony charges: committing a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game, as per records from the Nevada Gaming Control Board obtained by ESPN.
• Silverman has entered a plea of not guilty through his attorney, according to the New York Post.
• Suspicious betting activity, specifically multiple parlays on the ‘Under’ for various Robinson player props, raised red flags at BetMGM prior to the game (New York Post).
• These wagers, reportedly placed by Martin, resulted in payouts totaling $2,200 at +625 odds, generating nearly $16,000 in profits (New York Post).
• Robinson finished the game with three points, two rebounds, no assists, and zero 3-pointers in 21 minutes as Fresno State lost 91-64 to Colorado State, according to the New York Post.
• Investigators concluded, based on phone records and financial documents, that there was a “clear conspiracy” to manipulate player props for profit (New York Post).
• DraftKings confirmed that neither Silverman nor Martin were involved in setting college basketball betting lines during their employment in 2025 (ESPN).
• A DraftKings spokesperson stated, “The alleged activity at issue did not occur on DraftKings’ platform, and the individuals involved are no longer employed by the company” (ESPN).
• An internal review by DraftKings found no evidence of improper use of company information or impact on customers (ESPN).
• The NCAA ruled Robinson and Vasquez permanently ineligible in September for violating sports wagering rules by participating in the alleged scheme (New York Post).
• Matthew Martin, who reportedly placed the wagers and funnelled winnings to Silverman, has not been criminally charged (New York Post).

Why It Matters

This case highlights the potential vulnerabilities within regulated sports betting markets to alleged integrity breaches, particularly concerning player prop bets in college sports. The involvement of former sportsbook traders and a college athlete underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding competitive integrity and ensuring fair play (New York Post). Such incidents can impact public perception of sports betting and may prompt stricter regulatory oversight of betting markets and internal controls within sports wagering operators.

What’s Next

Nevada regulators have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, with the potential for additional criminal charges against other suspects still under consideration, according to the New York Post.

Originally reported by New York Post·Published 7 Jul 2026, 21:26