Sooners QB John Mateer releases statement after Venmo allegations: 'I have not engaged in any sports gambling'

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was the subject of social media speculation Monday night after screenshots surfaced allegedly showing his 2022 Venmo transactions with memos referencing “sports gambling.” At the time of the transactions, Mateer was enrolled at Washington State.

Griffin Media's Toby Rowland, News 9 Sports Director and the radio Voice of the Sooners, said OU sources reported to him that Mateer “has vehemently denied gambling on sports.”

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Statement from OU Quarterback John Mateer on the "sports gambling" Venmo transaction that has since been deleted:

"The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false. 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.

The screenshots, which included one payment mentioning the UCLA–USC game from that season, quickly spread online, leading to speculation about whether Mateer had violated NCAA rules. It’s not clear where the images originated, and Mateer has since deleted all of his Venmo transactions.

Statement from OU Athletics:

"OU Athletics provides ongoing education to its student-athletes, coaches, and staff on matters related to sports gambling. The department utilizes ProhiBet, which is an industry-standard service offering comprehensive monitoring of sports gambling activities. 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."

What Are the Venmo Gambling Allegations?

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Oklahoma is reviewing a series of 2022 Venmo transactions from an account alleged to belong to Mateer that included memos referencing “sports gambling.” One transaction specifically mentioned the 2022 UCLA–USC game, which the Trojans won 48-45.

Could the Transactions Be a Joke or Even Fake?

Several explanations are being discussed regarding the alleged Venmo transactions tied to John Mateer. One possibility is that the memos were simply humorous notations, similar to what many Venmo users write as jokes. Another is that the account in question might not belong to Mateer at all, with at least one person online claiming to have used his name on Venmo.

There is an account claiming to have been using Mateer's name on Venmo

How Has Oklahoma Responded?

The Sooners have acknowledged they are “aware” of the situation, according to ESPN, and intend to be “proactive and exhaust every avenue” in their review. Mateer has assured school officials he has never been involved in sports gambling.

What Do NCAA Rules Say?

The NCAA prohibits student-athletes from betting on college sports. Violations can carry significant penalties, as seen in 2023 when Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers was ruled permanently ineligible after being accused of betting on Cyclones games.

What’s Next for the Sooners and Mateer?

Oklahoma opens its season Aug. 30 against Illinois State before hosting Michigan on Sept. 6. While the school continues its review, the Venmo screenshots remain unverified, and many details about the situation are still unknown.