Three Men Face Felony Charges for Prop Bet Fixing
The former college players and a sportsbook trader allegedly manipulated stats during a 2025 game.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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Three men face felony charges for allegedly rigging college basketball prop bets placed through a Las Vegas sportsbook in 2025. Authorities arrested former college players Steven Vasquez and Matthew J. Martin in September, while a warrant remains active for a third player, Mykell Robinson.
Why it matters
The case highlights the vulnerability of the college sports betting market to internal manipulation. As sports wagering continues to expand in the valley, these charges bring fresh scrutiny to how information shared between athletes and sportsbook employees can be exploited for financial gain.
The alleged scheme generated $15,950 in net winnings from bets placed on the under for Robinson's performance statistics. Convictions for these Class C felonies carry a prison sentence range of one to five years.
The players
Steven Vasquez
A former college basketball player arrested in September on felony charges.
Matthew J. Martin
A former college basketball player and ex-sportsbook trader arrested in September.
Mykell Robinson
A former college basketball player currently sought on an active arrest warrant.
Samuel Silverman
A former Fresno State team manager and ex-sportsbook trader arrested in May.
The details
Prosecutors allege the scheme focused on the 2025 game between Fresno State and Colorado State, where Robinson played 21 minutes and scored 3 points. Vasquez, Martin, and Samuel Silverman allegedly placed bets on the under for Robinson’s stats. Martin and Silverman worked as sports traders at the DraftKings Las Vegas office at the time. Vasquez, Martin, and Silverman have all pleaded not guilty to charges including fraud and conspiracy to cheat at a gambling game.
Timeline
2023-24 season: Vasquez and Robinson lived together as college roommates.
2025: The alleged performance manipulation occurred during a basketball game.
May 2026: Authorities arrested Samuel Silverman.
August 2026: A court issued an arrest warrant for Mykell Robinson.
September 2026: Police arrested Steven Vasquez and Matthew J. Martin.
Beyond the Strip
This case follows the pattern established by the 2023 NCAA gambling investigations regarding the integrity of collegiate player props. It marks a departure from typical enforcement by specifically naming former sportsbook employees as alleged participants in the scheme.
Residents should be aware that these charges stem from activity within a Las Vegas-based sportsbook office. The case remains active in the court system, with legal proceedings pending for those who have entered pleas.
The takeaway
The case serves as a warning about the strict legal consequences for tampering with sports betting markets. Watch for upcoming court dates for Vasquez, Martin, and Silverman to see how the allegations of internal sportsbook fraud proceed in the local judicial system.
Further reading
For more on the regulation of local wagering, see the Basketball section.
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