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‘Mattress Mack’ Wins $115 Million in Largest Bet Ever After Astros World Series Victory

By Sam Mangioni - News Published:

Sports gambling is a dangerous game – but damn, it feels good when you pick a winner. Nobody is experiencing that thrilling dopamine rush more than Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who just won USD$75 million (AU$115 million) betting on his beloved Astros. According to multiple reports, it’s believed to be the largest payout in sports betting history. Who says the house always wins?

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The American business owner has never been scared to throw down big cash on the punt but raised the stakes during the baseball playoffs. Before the MLB post-season began, the Houston native was so confident his hometown Astros would win the World Series that he wagered a cool USD$10 million. We become nervous wrecks over a $5 same-game multi, so the idea of riding a multi-million dollar flutter is just bonkers.

There were some frightening moments throughout the playoffs for McIngvale, with the Phillies taking an early 2-1 series lead. Mack was in Philadelphia for the games and got into an expletive-filled clash with Phillies fans after that loss. “F – k you!” Mattress Mack could be seen yelling at a group of Phillies fans, who presumably were heckling him before filming of the viral video began. “F – k you, you asshole! F – k you!”

However, the Astros fought back to win the next three games to claim the title and avenge their World Series loss last year. Sitting in the front row behind the dugout in the final game, McIngvale could be seen celebrating the victory that earned him a sweet AUD$115 million payday.

While an insane bet by any standards, McIngvale effectively played with pocket change. Boasting acute business acumen, the 71-year-old mattress mogul has grown his net worth to a reported $463 million.

“I just have what you might call a high tolerance for risk,” McIngvale said to ESPN. “Damon Runyon said, ‘All horse players die broke.’ And I know I shouldn’t bet with my heart, but it’s hard not to, and it’s a lot more fun.”

This isn’t the first time McIngvale has made an enormous gamble and parted ways with more money than the average person will see in their lifetime. When the Astros won it all in 2017, he ran a promotion offering free mattresses from his stores if Houston beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. He reportedly lost $10 million worth of beds but had hedged his bets ahead of the series.

We hope he shouts his employees’ free lunch this week.

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Baseball, Gambling
Sam Mangioni
Journalist - Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle

Sam Mangioni

Sam Mangioni is an experienced content producer and the current Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle Journalist for Man of Many. With an extensive background in digital content production and news, Sam specialises in delivering timely, accurate and witty assessments of current events. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.

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