Ex-DraftKings trader arrested for Fresno State hoops betting plot

Not everything stays in Vegas.

A former sportsbook trader at DraftKings has been slammed with two felony charges connected to a college basketball betting scheme involving a player allegedly throwing his own prop bets.

Samuel Silverman, who worked in DraftKings’ Las Vegas office, was arrested May 5 and charged with committing a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game, according to records from the Nevada Gaming Control Board first obtained by ESPN.

Silverman has pleaded not guilty through his attorney. 

Investigators allege that Silverman plotted with Fresno State guard Mykell Robinson, who is accused of intentionally tanking his performance during the Bulldogs’ Jan. 7, 2025 matchup against Colorado State. Silverman’s alleged role was moving money to facilitate prop bets on Robinson while he and his associates cashed in on the guard’s statistical shortcomings. 

This alleged operation also involved Robinson’s former teammate Steven Vasquez and another former DraftKings sports trader, Matthew Martin, according to investigators.

Suspicious betting activity raised red flags at BetMGM before tipoff; multiple parlays were placed that consisted of the Under on various Robinson player props, totaling payouts of $2,200 at +625 odds.

Investigators allege those wagers were placed by Martin, who has not been criminally charged.

Robinson finished with just three points, two rebounds, no assists and zero 3-pointers in 21 minutes as Fresno State fell to Colorado State, 91-64.

The NCAA banned Robinson and Vasquez last September for participating in the betting plot. AP

The bets paid out nearly $16,000 in profits. Martin allegedly pocketed the winnings before funneling the cash to Silverman, who investigators say parceled it out to the others.

After sifting through evidence that included phone records and financial documents, authorities concluded there was a “clear conspiracy” to manipulate player props for profit. According to the records, Robinson wrote in text messages to Vasquez before the game that he would only be playing the first half and implied his production would be low.

DraftKings confirmed that neither Silverman nor Martin had any role in setting college basketball betting lines when they worked as sports traders together during 2025.

“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 told ESPN. “We strongly condemn the alleged conduct of these former employees and remain committed to protecting the integrity of sports and sports betting.”

The sportsbook giant also said an internal review found no evidence that company information was improperly used or that customers were impacted.

On the court, the NCAA ruled Robinson and Vasquez permanently ineligible last September after determining they violated the organization’s sports wagering rules by participating in the alleged scheme.

Nevada regulators say the investigation is still ongoing, with additional criminal charges against other suspects still under consideration.