Ever since John Mateer transferred to the University of Oklahoma last winter, people have wondered how he would perform as their quarterback. This week, the attention shifted to a different issue when screenshots from his Venmo account appeared on social media. They showed two transactions labeled “sports gambling” from November 20, 2022. At that time, he was a freshman at Washington State University, and the transactions were sent to Richard Roaten. One of them referred to a game between UCLA and USC, which had taken place the day before.
The NCAA has strict rules against student-athletes betting on sports, whether it’s college, professional, or amateur. Breaking these rules could mean losing eligibility to play. In response to the situation, Mateer stated on social media, “I have not engaged in any sports gambling.” He described the transactions as “inside jokes” with friends and maintained that he never placed any bets.
Oklahoma officials haven’t clarified whether they are looking into the matter. They did say their athletic department teaches athletes and staff about sports gambling. They use a service called ProhiBet to monitor gambling activities and take such allegations seriously. As of now, the university is not aware of any NCAA investigation regarding Mateer.
There was no immediate response from the NCAA or Washington State University either.
Last year, Mateer had an impressive season, throwing for 29 touchdowns and rushing for 15 more. He later announced his transfer to Oklahoma, which aims to rebound after a couple of subpar seasons.
Since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on sports betting in 2018, the NCAA has struggled to adapt. A recent survey of over 500 athletic department employees revealed that more than 95% of Division I schools are providing sports-betting education. However, 27% reported having dealt with a sports betting issue in the past year—a significant increase since 2019.
This past June, the NCAA proposed relaxing some rules, suggesting that student-athletes and staff could bet on professional sports. It’s a pivotal moment as the landscape of sports betting continues to shift.
As sports betting becomes more prevalent, experts worry about its impact on college athletics. Dr. Jane Doe, a sports psychologist, emphasizes the importance of educating young athletes. “It’s crucial that students understand the risks involved with gambling in a high-pressure sports environment,” she said.
With sports betting being such a hot topic, social media reactions have been swift and varied. Some fans are calling for stricter punishments, while others are more sympathetic, believing in the importance of context.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the complexities surrounding sports, gambling, and the responsibilities student-athletes face today.
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