Former DraftKings sports trader Samuel Silverman was arrested in Las Vegas on May 5 and charged with multiple crimes related to the match-fixing scheme involving the Fresno State basketball program.
Silverman pleaded not guilty to charges of commission of a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game, which carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines.
The scheme allegedly involved former Fresno State basketball player Mykell Robinson, teammate Steven Vasquez, Silverman and Matthew Martin. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) originally confirmed Silverman’s arrest on June 11 but had not yet identified which of the four was charged.
Silverman is accused of moving funds to facilitate bets on Robinson’s statistics for a January 7, 2025 matchup against Colorado State, where Robinson allegedly manipulated his performance to help those involved with the scheme profit off the wagers.
Both Silverman and Martin worked as sports traders for DraftKings in Las Vegas during 2025, but were not involved with setting college basketball lines or odds as previously confirmed by the operator.
“Evidence obtained through subpoenas, financial records, cellphone data, licensed sportsbook operators and coordination with the National Collegiate Athletic Association established probable cause that multiple individuals conspired to fraudulently place wagers tied to the intentional underperformance of a Fresno State athlete during a January 7, 2025, basketball game,” the June 11 report said.
NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer also addressed the arrest, having said, “The Nevada Gaming Control Board remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry and will continue to aggressively investigate any activity that threatens the fairness and public confidence of regulated sports wagering.”
According to the Nevada regulator, each of the three additional suspects remain outstanding, and criminal charges are still being “actively pursued.”
The NGCB submitted a request to the First Judicial State Court to hold Kalshi in contempt over the operator’s alleged failure to implement geofencing measures for its prediction markets offering
