Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is at the center of a potential sports gambling controversy after screenshots of past Venmo transactions surfaced online Monday night.
The images were widely shared on social media and allegedly show Mateer twice in payment, including the phrase “sports gambling” in memos on Nov. 20, 2022, during his freshman season at Washington State.
The payments were reportedly sent to a Venmo account belonging to Richard Roaten.
A source told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Mateer has denied to Oklahoma officials ever engaging in sports betting. School administrators became aware of the matter late Monday and are preparing to investigate.
As of early Tuesday, Oklahoma had not been contacted by the NCAA, according to On3.
Oklahoma officials are aware of John Mateer’s Venmo activity that surfaced on-line last night that twice references "sports gambling" and includes a reference to a specific game. Mateer has consistently denied to OU officials ever being involved with gambling, per a source.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 12, 2025
The origin of the screenshots remains unclear. The images quickly sparked speculation online. Mateer began trending on social media as fans weighed in on the potential implications.
Under NCAA rules, athletes are prohibited from betting on any sport offered by the organization, regardless of whether they participate in that sport. Violations can lead to severe penalties, including loss of eligibility.
Mateer transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State, where he had emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-12. He threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning the No. 1 overall spot in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings. His arrival in Norman was seen as a major boost for the Sooners’ offense as they prepare for their second season in the SEC.
The timing of the controversy is less than ideal for No. 18 Oklahoma. The Sooners open their season Aug. 30 at home against Illinois State. If the NCAA becomes involved, Mateer’s eligibility could become a pressing question, though no formal action has been taken as of now.
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