Column: Mattress Mack bets big as sports betting spreads

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mattress Mack is the kind of character who fits nicely into the Las Vegas betting scene, skipping from sports book to sports book in search of a big score.

That he was placing a $3.5 million bet on his beloved Houston Astros in Mississippi last week — and an additional $1.5 million a few days later in New Jersey — is just the latest evidence that sports betting is not just a Vegas thing anymore.

"I don't know of anyone who would take this much money at one time," said Mack, whose real name is Jim McIngvale, a Houston furniture store operator. "Nobody takes action like this."

While McIngvale is finding new places to bet his millions — hedging against a big mattress promotion at his stores — sports betting markets are quickly expanding across the nation. Bettors can wager in 13 different states, and increasingly they can do it on their mobile phones in states like Indiana.

Meanwhile, another once-taboo threshold was crossed when Ted Leonsis and sports book operator William Hill announced they would build a two-story sports book inside the arena where his Wizards and Capitals play in Washington, D.C. The book could be open next year, allowing fans to make bets without leaving the arena.

And then there's betting giant William Hill announcing a deal with the NBA to become the fourth betting company to sign on as an authorized sports betting operator for the league.

The sports betting market is exploding 16 months after a Supreme Court ruling last year that allowed states other than Nevada to offer wagering on games. Inside casinos and racetracks and increasingly on mobile phones bettors can back their favorite teams with a few dollars — and do it without the shadow of illegitimacy the activity had in the past.

That means bettors in Indiana can...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Column-Mattress-Mack-bets-big-as-sports-betting-14498946.php