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Read Full BioOklahoma quarterback John Mateer is facing scrutiny online as screenshots emerged showing he labeled some transactions on Venmo as “sports gambling.”
The transactions relate to two payments Mateer made to Richard Roaten in November 2022, with one tagged “sports gambling (UCLA vs USC)” and another only as “sports gambling.”
At the time, Mateer was at Washington State University, and Roaten was his teammate. A transaction from Roaten to Mateer has also been highlighted online, which was labeled as “ultra sports gambling FIFA world cup”.
Mateer has not commented on the story, but the data on Venmo has since been deleted. On November 19, 2022, USC beat UCLA 48–45 to clinch a spot in the Pac‑12 Championship Game.
Mateer Could be Suspended Under NCAA Rules
Under current NCAA rules, betting on your own sport, which could be the case, is punishable by up to a year’s suspension, with stricter penalties for betting on games involving your own team.
Mateer was also 18 years old at the time, which would make sports gambling illegal even if he were not an NCAA athlete. In addition to restricting players from betting on college sports, athletes are also prohibited from betting on professional sports.
The NCAA is considering lifting the ban on professional sports betting, but even if the change is approved, betting on college sports, particularly by minors, would remain prohibited.
The evidence against Mateer is limited, however, and he may be able to brush off any accusations with a reasonable explanation that the transactions did not relate to sports gambling. The payments made were not to a sportsbook, and there is no further evidence linking Mateer to illegal gambling.
States Consider Further Limits on College Betting
While the NCAA has limits on athletes betting, there is widespread availability of betting on college sports at sportsbooks. Some states, however, have limited betting on prop markets.
A total of 16 states have banned college prop markets, with Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, and Vermont implementing bans last year following a recommendation by NCAA President Charlie Baker.
New Jersey lawmakers are also considering banning the markets. Sen. Kristin M. Corrado proposed the ban, stating: “Proposition bets have led to a rise in the harassment of student-athletes and have threatened the integrity of college sports.”
An NCAA survey in April 2023 estimated that about 58% of college students aged 18–22 engaged in at least one form of sports betting over the past year.
In response, state regulators have introduced measures to curb the rise of betting among college students. The Illinois Gaming Control Board introduced a ban on gambling advertisements on college campuses this month. A similar ban already exists in New York and is being considered in New Jersey.
