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.