Two DraftKings traders have been implicated in a college basketball match-fixing scheme. Matthew Martin and Samuel Silverman are alleged to have conspired with Fresno State players Mykell Robinson and Steven Vasquez to wager on Robinson’s prop markets at rival sportsbook BetMGM.
The NCAA banned Robinson and Vasquez, along with teammate Jalen Weaver, for violating the organization’s gambling rules last year.
Text messages between Robinson and Vasquez revealed that Robinson intended to underperform in a game against Colorado State on January 7, 2025.
“Playin lil first half may get couple stats,” Robinson wrote, “then sitting,” according to the records.
At the time, the NCAA said Vasquez, Robinson, and an unnamed sports trader wagered a combined $2,200 on Robinson’s prop markets, which paid out $15,950.
ESPN Names DraftKings Traders
ESPN named Silverman and Martin as the traders and reported that Silverman was arrested in May this year. He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer said he intends to fight the charges.
“We will present a vigorous defense of Mr. Silverman in a court of law based on evidence and facts — not in the court of public opinion, polluted by bias, speculation, and rumor,” his attorney Michael D. Pariente told ESPN.
Silverman was a manager for the Fresno State men’s basketball team in 2022-23, according to the school.
Player Prop Specialist Placed Wagers
BetMGM told investigators that Martin placed the bets through his account, wagering $2,200 on a parlay on Robinson’s unders stats at odds of +625.
His LinkedIn profile says he continues to work at DraftKings as a trader specializing in player props. His profile states, “I work closely with our risk management, data science, and trading teams to monitor real-time betting activity, adjust lines, and ensure our offerings reflect the latest player performance metrics, injuries, and game dynamics.”
DraftKings has strongly opposed restrictions on prop betting and has quickly expanded its prediction market offerings to include them.
Martin began working at the company in June 2024 and worked in its Las Vegas office. Silverman was also stationed there when the alleged fixing scheme occurred in 2025.
DraftKings Denies Company Involvement
DraftKings denied any involvement in the scheme and said both men are no longer employed at the company.
“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.”
Nevada Gaming Control Board investigators interviewed Martin at DraftKings’ office in Vegas in October last year. Martin is alleged to have acknowledged that they were speaking to him regarding sporting integrity, but the conversation was quickly shut down by DraftKings’ lawyers.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board confirmed the arrest of one individual in May in relation to the case, which appears to be Silverman. There is no confirmation that Martin has been arrested, but in a press release, the Board said that “several additional suspects remain outstanding, and criminal charges are being actively pursued.”
BetMGM Flagged Suspicious Bets
Ahead of the game between Colorado and Fresno State, BetMGM’s sportsbook flagged Martin’s wagers as suspicious.
“At no point during Martin’s wagering history did he wager any similar substantial amounts on prop bets for an NCAA basketball player and never wagered directly on Mykell Robinson,” a report in the investigation stated.
“Immediately following the game and payout, Martin withdrew his winnings to his PayPal and Bank of America accounts, then completed transactions to Silverman for distribution.”
Martin is alleged to have kept $11,325 of the winnings before sending the remainder to Silverman, who kept $3,000. Robinson had sent $200 to wager on the parlay through his mother and received $1,425 in winnings. His mother is not accused of being involved in the scheme.
Following the match, Silverman allegedly placed another bet on Robinson’s statistics in a match against Nevada. However, this time, he wagered on the overs, and the bet lost.
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