Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has attempted to explain suspicious payments from his Venmo account allegedly linked to sports gambling.
“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” Mateer, 21, posted via X on Tuesday, August 12. “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.”
Screenshots began circulating on social media Monday, August 11, allegedly showing payments from Mateer’s personal Venmo account labeled “sports gambling” in November 2022. Both transactions were allegedly made to a Venmo account for Richard Roaten, believed to be a teammate of Mateer’s at Washington State at the time.
One payment from Mateer to Roaten allegedly referenced a specific game between USC and UCLA, two schools that were then conference mates with Washington State in the former Pac-12.
Mateer transferred to the University of Oklahoma in December as the No. 1 overall player in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings.
“I understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise,” Mateer continued. “I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.”
College athletes are not allowed to bet on any NCAA sport. Athletes who are found to have gambled on collegiate sports could face loss of eligibility.
Officials at the University of Oklahoma became aware of the alleged Venmo payments on Monday night and are planning an official investigation, according to ESPN.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the university plans to “exhaust every avenue” in their investigation into the matter.
Mateer has “vehemently denied” the gambling allegations, per Oklahoma City’s NEWS9 sports director, Toby Rowland.
The Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press’ preseason poll, released on Monday.
Oklahoma opens the 2025 season at home against Illinois State on August 30, before hosting the University of Michigan on September 6.
At SEC Media Days last month, Mateer explained why he wanted to make a good impression on his teammates right off the bat.
“I wanted to make sure I didn’t come off as too cocky, too confident,” Mateer told SEC Network. “I didn’t want to say too much. I wanted to build relationships, but I didn’t want to make it like, ‘Oh, I’m this guy.’ I wanted my work to show that I can be a leader.”
