Every Friday, Covers has a look back at the week that was in the sports betting industry. With a collection of sports betting news and notes, we plan to cover all the bases.

PrizePicks reveals 2nd Super Sweat Competition for the Super Bowl

Daily Fantasy sports betting (DFS) service provider PrizePicks has announced the launch of its Super Sweat competition for the second year. The promo will give players three opportunities to be selected to get involved in a contest for $1 million and a journey to view their selections at an invite-only watch celebration for Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

THE SUPER SWEAT IS BACK 3 of YOU will get the opportunity to SWEAT a 3-Pick Lineup for $1,000,000 on the Big Game (Feb. 9th)

We are hosting 3 various social contests leading up to the Big Game to discover our #SuperSweat competitors Once selected, everybody will be able to ... pic.twitter.com/bz4J5keHe1

Players can make a chance to join the Super Sweat promotion in three methods. The very first is by posting a screenshot of a lineup for the NFL Championship Game on Instagram, TikTok, or X (previously Twitter) with the hashtag #SuperSweat.

The 2nd way is to publish a video of your finest touchdown celebration on X, TikTok, and Instagram with the hashtag #SuperSweat. The last way to enter the promotion is by publishing a screenshot of your favorite NFL lineup with the #SuperSweat on X, Instagram, or TikTok.

Additionally, other gamers will have a chance to use game day for a share of an additional $1 million prize by tailing the lineups of the 3 rivals in the Super Sweat competition. PrizePicks will announce its three rivals on February 7.

PrizePicks has broadened because it used the Super Sweat competitors for the last Super Bowl, adding peer-to-peer video games in Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming in January. The DFS platform was also introduced in Missouri and Delaware in October, and licensing approval was gained from both jurisdictions. The website is now readily available in more than 45 U.S. states.

Florida Gaming Commission panelists concur present unlawful video gaming statutory is inadequate

The Florida Gaming Commission just recently testified existing statutory categories and charges for prohibited video gaming offenses were insufficient.

"There's only a lot cash to go around. If a dollar does not go to a certified center or a tribal center, it's going into a criminal's pocket. It's as basic as that," executive director Ross Marshman mentioned, affirming before the Florida Legislature Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

So far, licensed pari-mutuel centers, card rooms, and slot centers are the only kinds of legal land-based video gaming in the Sunshine State. Still, panelists expressed growing concern over the boost in illegal video gaming within the state, as the existing statute does not prevent facilities from making unlawful sports betting much easier to access.

"There is no disincentive for these establishments to close down due to the misdemeanors that they deal with," said Chief Ed Cayenne of the Homeland Security Division of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. "They are willing to pay the fines and continue the operations due to the fact that they are so lucrative."

Recently, Florida police broken down on prohibited establishments throughout the state, with 10 venues in Jacksonville forced to close in December. The Jacksonville Sheriff's office revealed more than a dozen residents were associated with a gaming ring that was running since 2021, leading to 5 people jailed for racketeering offenses.

Likewise, Florida also had one of the most recognizable betting lawsuits in current years, with the Seminole Tribe-operated Hard Rock sportsbook suspending operations after its launch in 2021, with the lawsuit lasting till 2024.

Hard Rock Bet ends up being most current member of Unity by Hard Rock Loyalty program

Hard Rock International announced its sportsbook, Acid rock Bet, will end up being the latest addition to its Unity by Hard Rock commitment scheme.

Acid rock Bet will maintain its online commitment rewards program for users however will let players earn Tier Credits for both programs. Players can transfer these credits between the two and money in for either online or on-property benefits.

"Integrating Hard Rock Bet into Unity will be a game-changer for guest engagement," stated Keith Sheldon, president of home entertainment and brand name management at Acid rock International and Seminole Gaming. "This enhancement not only provides an enjoyable, interactive method for visitors to make points when placing bets, but also significantly improves commitment."

Playing on Hard Rock Bet can now lead you to experiences around the world

Acid Rock Bet Unity pic.twitter.com/JRHPtD00Zr

Unity by Acid rock lets users redeem Unity Points at one of Hard Rock's international places. There are more than 200 participating locations, consisting of hotels, casinos, cafes, and Rock Shops. Likewise, Hard Rock's partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises permits gamers to redeem points on Royal Caribbean's Club Royale and Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club.

"By fulfilling guests for their playtime, we produce a win-win scenario where guests enjoy an enriched experience, and we foster an intro to all the fantastic verticals in our brand name through point redemption chances at Hotels, Casinos, Cafes, Rock Shops and home entertainment locations," Sheldon continued.

Acid Rock Bet is also expanding its sportsbooks in other ways, including jai-alai sports betting ahead of the 2025 World Jai-Alai League. Fans can take pleasure in exclusive streaming and betting material for jai alai on Acid rock Bet platforms.

Incentive Games releases crash video game with bet365

Game developer Incentive Games has actually revealed the launch of a new crash video game, "Velocity," which the operator will give the Brazilian market through a collaboration with bet365. It's the first pay-to-play crash game Incentive Games has made with bet365, however not the very first time Incentive has actually partnered with bet365.

Incentive Games promises that it will continue to update "Velocity," utilizing information and AI professionals to analyze player interactions.

Legal online video gaming released in Brazil on Jan. 1, with 68 online gaming platforms going deal with a license. bet365 was one of the platforms to go survive on the launch date, along with Flutter Entertainment's Betfair.

bet365 had an effective 2024 before beginning a brand-new chapter with its Brazil launch. While the business CEO took a pay cut, bet365's revenues, particularly in the U.S., increased substantially year-on-year in the monetary year ending March. The online sports betting wagering and gambling establishment service provider also ended up being the official partner of the UEFA Champions League in August.