Lake Charles is a little over 140 miles east of Houston, two hours and change by car. Not such a bad drive for the chance to win (or lose) a lot of money.
Remember when Mattress Mack headed east to bet on the Astros in the 2022 World Series? Texans have been pouring into the casinos and now sports-betting parlors of Southwest Louisiana for almost 30 years, leaving behind billions of dollars in the Pelican State. Last weekend, they got yet another reason to cross state lines: A rebranded ESPN Bet sportsbook opened inside the L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles.
One Southeast Texan who made the drive was Matt Watson of Bridge City, who told Sunday’s Beaumont Enterprise he’s been known to enjoy a round of golf and po-boy at local institution Darrell’s when popping across the Sabine River to place a wager.
