A furniture salesman in Houston known as “Mattress Mack” has placed the largest bet in Super Bowl history.
Jim McIngvale put $4.5 million on the Cincinnati Bengals over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. It is the largest wager ever placed on a mobile app, Ken Fuchs, head of sports at Caesars Entertainment, told Fox Business.
The Rams are a 4.5-point favorite over the Bengals, and Mr. McIngvale would net more than $7 million if the Rams fail to cover the spread.
He is hoping his Super Bowl bet will help salvage a difficult year of gambling. He lost more than $4 million in one week in January: $2.7 million in Alabama’s loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship and $2 million in the New England Patriots’ playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Mr. McIngvale had bet on the Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
His latest bet once again hedges for a promotion at his furniture store. If the Bengals win Super Bowl LVI, customers who spend more than $3,000 get their purchase for free.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Roman numeral affixed to Super Bowl LVI.