Famous Gambling Tout, Alleged Fraudster, spotlighted in NYT

The New York Times recently profiled “Mazi VS,” exposing the self-dubbed “Sports Betting King.” Mazi, whose nickname comes from Maserati (“Mazi”) and a diamond grading term (“VS”), built his reputation on Instagram, where many of 2.5 million followers saw him as a sports gambling savant leading a lavish life with a fleet of Lamborghinis, Maybachs and private jets.

But as the NYT piece revealed, behind the expensive cars and all-caps Instagram victory posts, there was a murkier story involving aggressive marketing, questionable betting claims, and now felony charges.

“Mazi VS” - the top sports betting tout

Mazi first emerged on the Las Vegas scene about a decade ago, presenting himself as a high-stakes gambler who routinely beat the sportsbooks. He boasted unrealistic win rates as high as 70%, far exceeding the 55% threshold that is considered excellent by legitimate professional gamblers.

Unlike many respected handicappers who base picks on statistical modeling, Mazi’s public explanation of his “method” was casual. Mazi claimed to “lock in” at his desk, scanning betting lines and choosing the ones that “look too good to be true.” He charged accordingly: $200 for his cheapest daily picks, up to $1,500 for his “Exclusive Play of the Day” and $5,000 for a week of exclusive plays. According to him, 28,000 paying customers subscribed.

The Times noted that Mazi was reluctant to discuss sports and his picks, when promoted, but was quick to flash and sell his real product – the lifestyle. His Instagram showcased luxury shopping sprees, diamond chains, expensive club nights and piles of casino-banded cash.

In sports betting circles, such figures are called “touts.”

The “real” Mazi VS and his legal troubles 

In May 2025, just weeks after promoting another “weekend package,” Mazi disappeared from social media. Rumors swirled until reports emerged that he was being held in the Clark County Detention Center.

Court records revealed that “Mazi VS” was allegedly Darnell Smith, arrested on 14 felony counts of forgery and identity fraud. Prosecutors say he possessed 14 false IDs, including a Romanian passport and a Nevada license under the name “Goated Mazi.” Smith pleaded not guilty, but he was denied bail due to being on probation from an earlier gun charge. His trial is scheduled for August 25, 2025, and conviction could mean years in prison.

This development casts serious doubt on Mazi’s betting record narrative, as well as his identity and business ethics.

This cautionary tale of an alleged fraudster is a reflection of the post-PASPA repeal boom. Legal sports wagering has exploded into a $150 billion-a-year industry, with nearly half of American men aged 18–49 holding online betting accounts.

Social media has amplified both the reach and the risk, allowing marketers like Mazi to attract thousands of customers without proving the legitimacy of their claims.

How Mazi VS and sports betting touts make money

The typical tout makes money by charging for their predictions, either per pick or in subscription packages.

Legitimate handicappers can and do exist, offering carefully researched insights, but the industry also has a high proportion of bad actors. Common tactics include inflating win records, showing only winning tickets, or “double-siding,” which is to sell different picks to different clients so that someone always wins.

Paying for picks adds extra cost to betting, stacking the odds even further against the buyer. Even without tout fees, most bettors lose money long-term due to the sportsbook’s vig: built-in 10% advantage for the house. Paying $200, $1,500 or more for picks makes profitability even less likely unless betting very large sums.

As industry insiders point out, if someone truly had a sustainable edge of 70%, they wouldn’t need to sell picks at all.

Should you ever trust and buy picks from sports betting touts and “experts”?

The short answer is no. You’re not only taking a risk on the outcome of a pick, but also on the honesty and competence of the tout. Even assuming the plays are made in good faith, the extra cost of paid picks makes profitability even harder to achieve.

For the primary target audience for touts (novice bettors), the risks are high. Losses can compound quickly, inflated win-rate claims can create false confidence, and touts may prey on lifestyle envy, selling the dream of financial freedom through betting.

Some legitimate handicappers operate transparently, post losses as well as wins and base predictions on rigorous analysis. But the prevalence of unsavory practices in the industry means bettors should approach with extreme caution.