{"id":172464,"date":"2021-05-02T23:16:15","date_gmt":"2021-05-03T06:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=172464"},"modified":"2021-05-03T09:28:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T16:28:43","slug":"mattress-mack-pushes-for-texas-sports-betting-calls-it-a-stress-reliever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/mattress-mack-pushes-for-texas-sports-betting-calls-it-a-stress-reliever\/","title":{"rendered":"EXCLUSIVE: Mattress Mack Pushes for Texas Sports Betting, Calls It a “Stress Reliever”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before Houston businessman Jim McIngvale could make his Super Bowl bet, he first had to get on a plane. America\u2019s highest-profile sports bettor, known to most as \u201cMattress Mack,\u201d lives in a state that has yet to legalize the activity.<\/p>\n

\"Jim
Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale gets ready to make one of his bets on Essential Quality during Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Image: NBC Sports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s a fact not lost on him.<\/p>\n

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We need to open up sports gambling in Texas,\u201d McIngvale told Casino.org<\/i>. \u201cIt’d be a huge industry and puts some more money into the state coffers and prevents people like me having to fly to Colorado to bet.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Two weeks ago, a Texas legislative committee received testimony on proposed constitutional amendments that would legalize sports betting and casino gaming in the country\u2019s second-most populous state. Las Vegas Sands has reportedly invested millions in a campaign<\/a> to promote expanded gaming in the Lone Star State.<\/p>\n

However, the measures face opposition. Earlier this year, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) said there are not enough votes in the state Senate for it to pass.<\/p>\n

The day before Mattress Mack made his $2.4 million bet on Essential Quality in the Kentucky Derby, he sat down with Casino.org<\/i> to talk about the future of horse racing<\/a> and share his thoughts on the proliferation of sports betting across the country.<\/p>\n

Mattress Mack: Bettor and Believer<\/h2>\n

In addition to being a high-profile gambler, McIngvale is also a person who actively professes his faith. His Twitter account features as many, if not more, tweets citing Bible verses than sports betting content.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also opened up his Gallery Furniture stores in Houston as temporary shelters during times of crisis. He did so most recently during the February winter storm that shut down much of the state for days. And for the Kentucky Derby, he partnered with Churchill Downs to bring about 300 representatives of the state\u2019s foster care system to watch the race as their guests.<\/p>\n

It’s an issue close to him. His daughter and her husband formally adopted their son two years ago after serving as foster parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen firsthand the importance of foster care, and Brodie has been a true joy in my life,\u201d McIngvale said in a statement from Churchill Downs.<\/p>\n

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Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7<\/p>\n

— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) May 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n