Mateer denies gambling after Venmo labels surface

John Mateer denies any sports betting after two Venmo transactions surface from his time at Washington State.

Oklahoma star QB faces scrutiny after Venmo gambling labels surface

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who transferred from Washington State this season, is under public scrutiny after screenshots of his Venmo activity circulated online. The messages show two transactions from November 2022 labeled "sports gambling" sent to a private account. The NCAA forbids student athletes and staff from betting on sports, and violations can jeopardize eligibility.

Mateer posted a statement denying wrongdoing, saying the labels were "inside jokes between me and my friends" and that he has never bet on sports. OU says it runs ongoing education on gambling compliance and uses a monitoring service, while noting there is no confirmed NCAA investigation. The NCAA and other schools are watching how universities handle these incidents as debates over betting rules for pro sports continue.

The case tests Oklahoma's plan to revive its football program by relying on Mateer to lead the offense. It also shows how social media material can shape a narrative before facts are clear. Schools are balancing transparency with fair process as investigations unfold. If the NCAA moves to relax betting rules for pro sports, colleges may face new questions about where lines should be drawn for athletes.

Beyond one player, the episode underscores the broader tension between athlete rights and strict compliance. It asks whether monitoring tools and education are enough to prevent risky behavior, or if policy shifts will demand tougher enforcement.

Highlights

Rules and reputation must advance together as the game evolves