A day after Venmo images suggesting that new University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer may have placed sports bets in 2022 came to light, Mateer is denying the claims.
“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” Mateer wrote on X Tuesday. “My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.”
Mateer is a transfer from Washington State and was a true freshman in 2022 when the transactions occurred. Snapshots of Mateer’s Venmo transactions surfaced Monday night, according to multiple media reports, and Oklahoma officials say they are investigating.
Though the NCAA has not announced its involvement, it seems likely that the national organization overseeing college sports will get involved. The NCAA prohibits student-athletes at its member schools from betting, particularly on their own sport. Mateer could face a suspension if he is found to have gambled. The Sooners are set to open the 2025 NCAA season Aug. 30 against Illinois State.
Screenshots surface
According to ESPN, screenshots of two Nov. 20, 2022 Venmo transactions that included the words “sports gambling” in the memo turned up on online Monday. The funds were reportedly sent to former Washington State teammate Richard Roaten, and one also included the words “UCLA vs USC.” Those teams played played a football game Nov. 19, 2022. A screenshot of the account shows another entry for “ultra sports gambling fifa World Cup,” but the date is not in the screenshot.
The investigation is the fourth opened by a university or professional sports league since July 1. Major League Baseball is currently investigating allegations that two Cleveland Guardians pitchers may have manipulated first pitches to win bets, and the NBA’s Malik Beasley is under investigation after several prop bets were flagged.
In Washington state, retail sports betting is legal, but digital sports betting is not. The legal age for in-person sports betting is 21, and Mateer would have been 18 at the time. Wagering of any kind is not legal in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma officials Tuesday released a statement saying that the university educates its players on gambling, and uses integrity monitoring software. The university acknowledged that it is looking into the situation.
“OU takes any allegations of gambling seriously and works closely with the NCAA in any situations of concern,” according to the statement. “OU Athletics is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending.”
