A former DraftKings sports trader has been charged in Nevada over an alleged betting scheme linked to Fresno State basketball.
A former DraftKings sports trader has been charged in Nevada over an alleged betting scheme linked to Fresno State basketball.
Samuel Silverman was arrested in Las Vegas on 5 May. He has pleaded not guilty to felonies alleging a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at gambling.
The case centres on Fresno State’s 7 January 2025 game against Colorado State. Nevada Gaming Control Board records reviewed by ESPN allege that Silverman helped distribute proceeds from wagers tied to former Fresno State forward Mykell Robinson.
The bets were placed on Robinson falling below selected statistical lines. The NCAA said Robinson and former teammate Steven Vasquez discussed the plan by text message. Three prop bets, worth $2,200 in total, returned $15,950.
Vasquez had been Robinson’s Fresno State roommate. State records also identify Silverman’s former DraftKings colleague and roommate, Matthew J. Martin, in the alleged scheme.
Silverman had worked as a team manager at Fresno State during the 2022-23 season. DraftKings said Silverman and Martin worked from its Las Vegas office in 2025 but did not set college basketball odds.
Silverman’s lawyer, Michael Pariente, said the defence would be based on evidence rather than public commentary.
The charges add a criminal case to an episode that had already brought NCAA sanctions. In September, the association permanently revoked the eligibility of Robinson, Vasquez and former Fresno State guard Jalen Weaver.
The NCAA began its inquiry after Fresno State and a betting integrity monitor reported suspicious prop betting on Robinson. Its findings said the three players shared information about betting lines.
It also found that Robinson and Vasquez manipulated performances to help particular bets land.
More individuals potentially face charges
Nevada regulators say more suspects remain outstanding and further criminal charges are being pursued.
The case arrives amid a broader run of basketball betting investigations. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia charged 26 people in January in an alleged point-shaving operation.
The indictment described more than 39 players across 17 Division I programmes and alleged attempts to fix more than 29 games.
Professional basketball has faced a related series of cases. Federal prosecutors charged Terry Rozier, Damon Jones and others last October, alleging that non-public medical and lineup information was used for betting.
The same investigation described alleged wagers involving former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter, who had already pleaded guilty in an earlier case.
Baseball has faced its own allegations. In November, federal prosecutors charged Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz over claims that individual pitches were rigged for prop bets.
Former MLB outfielder Yasiel Puig filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month.
He faces home foreclosures and a potential 18-month prison sentence following federal convictions for lying to agents and obstruction of justice.
That was related to an illegal sports gambling ring tied to former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix and MGM Resorts.