In the world of mega-sports betting, this one is HUGE!
Jim McIngvale, a successful Houston businessman, is the founder of Gallery Furniture. Known as “Mattress Mack,” he always ends his TV commercials with the tagline, “Gallery Furniture will save you money!” Then Mack pulls cash and jumps in the air.
Cash for Mack? (photo, Forbes)
Mack is also a huge Astros fan and likes to wager on games. How big? Mack just wagered $75 million on the Astros to beat the Phillies in World Series 2022. If he wins, it will be the largest legally placed and recorded bet in sports betting history.
Mack’s bet is also a sales promotion. Every customer who paid over $3,000 for a mattress can return it and get another one for free. Well, almost free. Customers will have to pay the sales tax. It’s not the first time that Mack has combined wagering and promotion. It’s working, too.
However, sports betting isn’t legal in Texas as it is in many other states. So, Mack has to travel to place his bets. Mack recently traveled to Louisiana, stopped at a Subway sandwich shop, and placed bets on his phone with gambling apps. He has also placed bets in Iowa and Nevada.
Mack has a history of wagering on the Astros. In 2019, he bet $17 million on the Astros to beat the Nationals. He lost. Now, he’s looking to square his record.
Mack, who says he’d never bet against the Astros, will be watching Game 3 of the Series, scheduled for Tuesday night in Philadelphia. You can bet (pun intended) that he’ll watch every game after that, too.
Great story! Wish I had that kind of cash to place a bet. I hope he wins. This should be interesting! Good article Matthew Paris.