• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Mattress Mack Could Win $75M on Astros World Series Bet

  • Jim McIngvale bet $10 million on Houston at blended +750 odds across multiple sportsbooks.
  • He uses the bets to subsidize sales promotions at his Houston-area furniture stores.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

With the Houston Astros back in the World Series, America’s most famous sports bettor/furniture salesman is at it again — and this time, he’s playing for a record payout.

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale has placed $10 million in bets on the Astros to win their second championship at blended +750 odds across multiple sportsbooks.

That $75 million payout would be the largest in legal sports betting history, per Action Network.

Big Bettor Mattress Mack Launches Sports Website

The new site will cover all things Texas and Louisiana sports.
September 13, 2022

McIngvale has famously placed huge bets on marquee sports events over the years to cover sales promotions in his Houston-area furniture stores.

In this case, customers who spent $3,000 or more on select mattresses will get their money back if the ‘Stros beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it,” McIngvale said in a recent Forbes interview. “We’re in it to win all this money back for these customers because once they win the money back, you’ve created a lifetime customer and so much positive word-of-mouth advertising.”

McIngvale and his customers may have something to celebrate in due time: Houston is currently a -185 favorite to beat Philadelphia (+160) and take home the title.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 7, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino (0) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive

Adam Ottavino Joins Revamped ESPN MLB Lineup

The 15-year MLB vet spent the past four seasons with the Mets.
MLB base logo

MLBPA Builds $519M War Chest as CBA Showdown Looms

The union’s financial holdings have reached unprecedented levels.
Jan 14, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., delivers remarks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on the expected nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

‘Astonishing and Appalling’: Senator Blasts MLB-Polymarket Deal

A Connecticut senator says prediction markets are part of an “addiction conspiracy.”
Mar 28, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A general view during a ABS challenge during the first inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
opinion

MLB’s ABS System Makes for Great TV

Some of the weekend’s best drama came from the “robo umps.”

Featured Today

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave
March 25, 2026

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”

NFL Warns Prediction Markets Operators Over Vulnerable Bets

Ongoing litigation in the burgeoning industry has muddied the waters.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts with third baseman Max Muncy (13) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the eleventh inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
March 23, 2026

Bipartisan Bill Wants Sports Banned on Prediction Markets

It’s the latest indicator that prediction markets have gone mainstream.
The March Madness logo is pictured during a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday March 21, 2026.
March 23, 2026

Coinbase Takes Heat for Pushing March Madness Markets

Viral posts showed that users feel pummeled by sports event contract promotion.
Sponsored

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
March 20, 2026

NCAA Sues DraftKings Over March Madness Trademark Infringement

NCAA president Charlie Baker has also gone after prediction markets.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)
March 20, 2026

Judge Temporarily Blocks Kalshi’s Sports Markets in Nevada

Nevada previously won a similar ruling in its case against Polymarket.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
exclusive
March 19, 2026

MLB Makes Multiyear Prediction-Market Deal With Polymarket

The league’s stance on prediction markets has rapidly evolved.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Fan with a Morocco flag inside the stadium before a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field.
March 18, 2026

Sportsbooks, Prediction Markets Split on AFCON Payouts

CAF named Morocco as champions after the controversial Senegalese victory in January.