The past Venmo transactions suggesting that Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer had gambled on college football games were instead “inside jokes between me and my friends,” Mateer said on social media Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Earlier on Tuesday, multiple reports cited screengrabs in linking Mateer to three-year-old reimbursements on Venmo that contained descriptions labeled “sports gambling.” One screengrab included a note that the Venmo payment was related to a matchup between Southern California and UCLA.
“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” Mateer said in a statement posted on X.
“My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in questions 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 sports gambling.”
Oklahoma also released a statement regarding the matter:
‘OU takes any allegations of gambling seriously and works closely with the NCAA in any situations of concern. OU athletics is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending.’
The NCAA has had a longstanding ban against student-athletes gambling on sports. According to the governing body, students, coaches and other staff members “are not allowed to bet or provide any useful information that can influence a bet in any sport the NCAA sponsors at any level.”
That ban could soften somewhat with a proposal this June by the Division I Council that would allow for gambling on professional sports. If adopted, NCAA enforcement efforts would focus “on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity.”
At the time of these transactions in 2022, Mateer was a true freshman at Washington State who played in one game and compiled 80 yards of total offense and one touchdown. After spending the 2023 season in backup role, Mateer was a breakout star last year, finishing with roughly 4,000 yards of offense and 44 combined touchdowns.
He joined Oklahoma this past offseason along with former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who was hired for the same position.
On the heels of a disappointing 6-7 finish in the program’s SEC debut, Mateer’s arrival is one reason why the Sooners are expected to rebound and contend for an at-large College Football Playoff berth. Oklahoma opens the year just outside the US LBM Coaches Poll as the first team among those also receiving votes.