UPDATED: University of Oklahoma Quarterback Denies Sports Betting Involvement

• Two reports claim University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer denies betting on sports after social media posts
• Both ESPN and Sooner Scoop say Mateer has been in contact with the university and denies ever betting on sports
• Posts on social media page X purport to show Mateer venmo transactions from 2022 labeled as “sports gambling”

UPDATE: University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has addressed past Venmo transactions labeled as “sports gambling” on his X page. He denies ever having bet on sports and labeled the transactions as “inside jokes” among friends.

Two separate reports from ESPN and Sooner Scoop claim University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is denying any past involvement in sports betting after social media posts on X yesterday were widely circulated.

Several posts on X from Monday, Aug. 11, seemed to show old Venmo transactions from Mateer in 2022 labeled as “sports gambling.” David Purdum of ESPN and the blog SoonerScoop both claim Mateer has been in contact with the University of Oklahoma and denies betting on sports.

ESPN reported, however, the university will open an investigation on the posts.

Did Mateer Label Venmo Transactions As Sports Betting?

Several posts on X yesterday began to circulate that purported Mateer, likely the 2025 starting quarterback for the University of Oklahoma, labeled several Venmo transactions in 2022 as
“sports gambling.”

One transaction supposed was labeled as “sports gambling (UCLA vs. USC).” Both transactions were from Nov. 20, 2022, when Mateer was a freshman quarterback at Washington University. Mateer transferred to the University of Oklahoma in December 2024.

Both ESPN and SoonerScoop have reported Mateer has denied any involvement. SoonerScoop reported the University of Oklahoma or representatives for Mateer may make a public statement on the situation sometime today.

College athletes are forbidden to bet on professional and college sports. If found betting on either, athletes could experience permanent loss of collegiate eligibility or other penalties determined by the amount bet on professional sports and what type of bet, or on what team, is made on college sports.

NCAA Reevaluating Sports Betting Policy

Sports betting legality is widespread, as 40 states have some form of legalized sports betting in the U.S. The NCAA is considering a change to its sports betting policy, as a rule change proposal is being considered that would allow student athletes, coaches, and training staff to bet on sports.

According to an update from the NCAA, the Division I Council introduced a proposal on Tuesday, June 24, to change the sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports. If approved, the NCAA will refocus its enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that impact game integrity.

The proposal will receive a final vote in October. It will only go into effect if also approved by both DII and DIII officials.

The rule change would not be retroactive. If approved, it would apply only to sports betting that occurs after the effective date of the proposal.