Louisiana Hit Hard by ‘Mattress Mack’ World Series Bets in November

Louisiana's mobile sportsbooks took $27.6 million in losses in November, compared to $26 million during October. Online activity was up 5% from October, but the online side of the industry was hit by the World Series futures placed by Houston furniture salesman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale.

The Houston Astros’ World Series win clinched an approximately $75-million payout for Mack. Mobile sportsbooks in Louisiana took a $27.6-magnion loss in November, compared to $26 million in net proceeds during October. Online bookmakers took $59.3- million loss on baseball during November.

Louisiana had 17 brick-and-mortar sports betting sites and 8 mobile sportsbooks taking bets during November. After accounting for winning payouts and deductions for free bets and other promotions, operators paid about $4.2 million in tax to the state for November's action.