Key Points
- Samuel Silverman, previously employed as a sports trader at DraftKings, was taken into custody in Las Vegas facing gaming fraud charges.
- Allegations stem from a January 2025 college basketball matchup between Fresno State and Colorado State.
- Authorities claim Fresno State’s Isaiah Robinson intentionally underperformed to enable betting wins on his statistical props.
- A bettor named Matthew Martin wagered $2,200 across three parlay tickets at BetMGM, collecting nearly $16,000 in returns.
- Both Robinson and fellow player Steven Vasquez have received lifetime bans from the NCAA.
Authorities in Nevada have filed criminal charges against a former DraftKings employee accused of participating in a sports betting conspiracy involving college basketball. Samuel Silverman was apprehended in Las Vegas on May 5.
Prosecutors have hit him with felony charges including fraudulent conduct at a gaming facility and conspiracy to manipulate gambling outcomes. Both offenses could result in prison sentences ranging from one to five years, plus financial penalties.
Silverman entered a not guilty plea. His legal representative, Michael D. Pariente, indicated the defense strategy will focus on factual evidence rather than responding to public sentiment.
How the Conspiracy Allegedly Unfolded
The criminal complaint revolves around the January 7, 2025 contest when Fresno State faced off against Colorado State. Law enforcement claims Isaiah Robinson sent text messages to teammate Steven Vasquez discussing plans to deliberately restrict his on-court production.
Robinson reportedly requested a $200 parlay wager targeting the under on his own performance statistics. Vasquez allegedly facilitated placing the bet.
Investigators from the Nevada Gaming Control Board assert that Matthew Martin—a former DraftKings coworker who shared living space with Silverman—submitted three separate parlay bets worth $2,200 total through BetMGM. All three wagers predicted Robinson would fail to reach projected totals in scoring, assists, rebounds, and three-point shooting.
During that particular game, Robinson logged 21 minutes of playing time. His final stat line showed three points, two rebounds, and zero assists.
Following the Financial Paper Trail
Martin’s betting tickets generated $15,950 in payouts. Financial records reveal he cashed out the winnings and distributed portions to Silverman, who subsequently transferred funds to Vasquez.
Vasquez then sent $1,425 to Robinson’s mother, who had originally funded the initial $200 stake. Law enforcement believes all four individuals divided the total earnings.
The breakdown shows Martin retained $11,325, Silverman collected $3,000, Robinson obtained $1,425, and Vasquez took home $200.
Both Silverman and Martin held positions as sports traders at DraftKings’ Las Vegas facility during 2025. The company clarified that neither individual had responsibilities related to establishing college basketball betting lines.
A company representative emphasized that the suspected activity occurred outside the DraftKings platform. Both individuals have since departed the organization.
While DraftKings doesn’t operate a sportsbook within Nevada’s borders, it maintains a corporate presence there. The company reported that its internal investigation uncovered no evidence of customer information being compromised.
The NCAA issued permanent suspensions to both Robinson and Vasquez in September 2025 for breaching gambling regulations. Fresno State launched its inquiry after head coach Vance Walberg received an anonymous tip from a concerned parent.
Walberg noted that Robinson seemed mentally disengaged throughout the Colorado State matchup. Robinson has maintained he never placed bets while actively competing and attributed his subpar showing to an ankle injury.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board concluded its investigation established a deliberate conspiracy to generate profits through Robinson’s manipulated performance. Chairman Mike Dreitzer emphasized the board’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding the legitimacy of Nevada’s gaming sector.
The case remains under active investigation, with officials indicating additional suspects have yet to be apprehended.
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