Despite being one of the most high-profile sports bettors in the US, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale opposes his home state of Texas legalizing online sports betting.
The Houston-based furniture store tycoon questioned new legislation in Texas that would legalize sports betting; he believes that allowing online sports betting would lead to increased levels of gambling addiction.
Talking about how he currently controls his compulsions, Mattress Mack explained that he currently has to make the two-hour drive to neighboring Louisiana to place his sports bets. For him, this helps curtail any sudden impulse to wager.
calling on lawmakers to not support new bills that were introduced Monday
Though he won a record-breaking payout of $75m after betting on the Houston Astros to win the World Series, McIngvale is calling on lawmakers to not support new bills that were introduced Monday, saying that he’s “1,000% against” the legislation.
Texas has historically been conservative when it comes to gambling expansion. Those who support legalizing sports betting believe that it will add significant revenue to state coffers and create a safer environment for the many Texans who currently engage in black market sports betting. All of the major sports teams in the state, who are part of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, back legalization.
