- There are screenshots of John Mateer sending money through Venmo for sports betting.
- Oklahoma is set to investigate if John Mateer participated in sports betting activities.
NORMAN, Okla. – Just ahead of the 2025-26 college football season, a massive sports betting allegation has come in against Oklahoma Sooners QB1, John Mateer.
The allegations came to light after screenshots surfaced from John Mateer’s Venmo account with the subject lines reading “Sports Gambling” and “Sports Gambling (USLA vs USC).”
Screenshots from John Mateer’s Venmo showing alleged sports betting transactions#sportsbetting #betting #collegefootball #JohnMateer pic.twitter.com/wYtSgZExJR
— Legal Sports Betting (@legalsportsbet) August 12, 2025
Since those legal sports betting allegations came out against Mateer, the school has since stated that they are opening an investigation into the matter. Mateer himself has also come out saying that he’s never participated in sports betting.
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
What We Know
Based on the screenshots from November 22, 2022, Mateer was 18 years old and in his freshman season at Washington State at the date of the Venmo transactions. For Mateer, it was an off day for Washington State, and directly after the Cougars won on the road against Arizona, and just before their rivalry game against Washington.
Also, given the date and subject line reading “UCLA vs. USC,” the transaction came after UCLA lost 48-45 to USC.
Based on the events and timing, Mateer was clearly underage and using an illegal bookie to place this bet, which he might’ve lost based on the fact that he was sending funds after the game and not receiving them.
What Can Happen
If the allegations and screenshots are true, this would not be the first time that a player was caught betting on college football while in school.
In 2023, an investigation was opened for a major betting scandal involving football players for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones that led to several players being suspended, losing their scholarships, or being banned from playing in the NCAA.
As the investigation in Oklahoma continues, the severity of the situation will continue to get uncovered, where a more clearer outcome will come from.
