Oklahoma Quarterback Denies Accusations of Gambling after Venmo Transactions Surface
Oklahoma Quarterback John Mateer Denies Involvement in Sports Betting Allegations
John Mateer, the Oklahoma Sooners' quarterback, has denied any involvement in sports betting, following allegations that surfaced earlier this year. The controversy stems from Venmo transactions that took place in November 2022, which contain references to sports gambling and the UCLA vs. USC game.
The transactions occurred while Mateer was still a student at Washington State University. Mateer, who transferred to Oklahoma earlier this year, insists that the Venmo payment descriptions were "inside jokes" between him and his friends, and not proof of any illegal activities.
Despite the allegations, the NCAA has not launched an investigation into this situation, and there are no updates on any ongoing probe concerning Mateer's Venmo transactions. Oklahoma Athletics has also stated that it is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe one is pending. The university has emphasized its commitment to monitoring sports gambling activities and educating student-athletes on related matters.
The University of Oklahoma uses ProhiBet, a system that tracks sports betting, to ensure compliance with NCAA rules. NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from betting on any sports they sponsor, which could lead to severe penalties, including loss of eligibility if proven.
Hunter Dekkers, a former quarterback for Iowa State, lost his chance to play in 2023 due to betting. NCAA rules do not allow college athletes to bet on college sports, a rule that Mateer is presumably aware of, given his transfer from Washington State to Oklahoma.
Mateer had a successful 2024 season at Washington State, ranking among the most productive in the country. He threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and ran for 826 yards, scoring 15 times on the ground.
The Sooners are set to start the new season at No. 18 in the AP Top 25. Mateer followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State, and his leadership and talent are expected to be crucial for the team's success this season.
Mateer addressed the issue on August 12 with a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the payment descriptions were just friendly jokes, not proof of illegal acts. He reiterated his denial of any involvement in sports betting, and expressed his commitment to upholding the NCAA's rules and regulations.
Football, being a sport John Mateer actively participates in, is one of the sports he cannot bet on according to NCAA rules due to the potential for severe penalties. Despite the alleged Venmo transactions involving sports gambling and references to football games, Mateer insists they were merely "inside jokes" and not evidence of any illegal activities.
