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

PrizePicks reveals second Super Sweat Competition for the Super Bowl

Daily Fantasy sports betting (DFS) service provider PrizePicks has revealed the launch of its Super Sweat competition for the second year. The promotion will offer gamers 3 opportunities to be picked to get involved in a contest for $1 million and a trip to see their selections at an invite-only watch party 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 different social contests leading up to the Big Game to find our #SuperSweat competitors Once picked, everybody will have the ability to ... pic.twitter.com/bz4J5keHe1

Players can make a chance to join the Super Sweat promotion in 3 methods. The first is by posting a screenshot of a lineup for the NFL Conference Championship on Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag #SuperSweat.

The second method is to publish a video of your best touchdown event on X, TikTok, and Instagram with the hashtag #SuperSweat. The final way to enter the promo is by publishing a screenshot of your preferred NFL lineup with the #SuperSweat on X, Instagram, or TikTok.

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

PrizePicks has actually broadened since it offered the Super Sweat competitors for the last Super Bowl, including peer-to-peer video games in Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming in January. The DFS platform was also released in Missouri and Delaware in October, and licensing approval was gotten from both jurisdictions. The site is now readily available in more than 45 U.S. states.

Florida Gaming Commission panelists agree existing illegal gaming statutory is insufficient

The Florida Gaming Commission just recently testified existing statutory categories and charges for illegal gaming offenses were inadequate.

"There's just a lot money to walk around. If a dollar does not go to a certified facility or a tribal facility, it's entering into a bad guy's pocket. It's as easy as that," executive director Ross Marshman stated, affirming before the Florida House of Representatives Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

Up until now, licensed gaming house facilities, card rooms, and slot centers are the only forms of lawful land-based gaming in the Sunshine State. Still, panelists expressed growing concern over the boost in illegal gaming within the state, as the present statute does not discourage establishments from making unlawful betting easier to access.

"There is zero disincentive for these establishments to shut down due to the misdemeanors that they deal with," stated Chief Ed Cayenne of the Homeland Security Division of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. "They want to pay the fines and continue the operations due to the fact that they are so profitable."

Recently, Florida police punished illegal facilities across the state, with 10 locations in Jacksonville forced to close in December. The Jacksonville Sheriff's office exposed more than a dozen locals were included in a sports betting ring that was running considering that 2021, resulting in 5 people detained for racketeering offenses.

Likewise, Florida also had one of the most recognizable betting suits in the last few years, with the Seminole Tribe-operated Hard Rock sportsbook suspending operations after its launch in 2021, with the claim lasting up until 2024.

Hard Rock Bet becomes most current member of Unity by Acid rock Loyalty program

Hard Rock International revealed its sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, will become the latest addition to its Unity by Acid rock loyalty scheme.

Acid rock Bet will keep its online loyalty rewards program for users but will let gamers earn Tier Credits for both programs. Players can move these credits in between the two and cash in for either online or on-property rewards.

"Integrating Hard Rock Bet into Unity will be a game-changer for guest engagement," stated Keith Sheldon, president of entertainment and brand name management at Acid rock International and Seminole Gaming. "This enhancement not only offers a fun, interactive method for visitors to earn points when putting bets, however also significantly increases 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 global places. There are more than 200 taking part places, including hotels, casinos, coffee shops, and Rock Shops. Likewise, Acid rock's collaboration with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises enables players to redeem points on Royal Caribbean's Club Royale and Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club.

"By rewarding visitors for their playtime, we create a win-win situation where visitors take pleasure in an enriched experience, and we promote an intro to all the remarkable verticals in our brand through point redemption opportunities at Hotels, Casinos, Cafes, Rock Shops and home entertainment places," Sheldon continued.

Acid Rock Bet is also broadening its sportsbooks in other methods, adding jai-alai betting ahead of the 2025 World Jai-Alai League. Fans can delight in special streaming and betting material for jai alai on Acid rock Bet platforms.

Incentive Games introduces crash video game with bet365

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

Incentive Games assures that it will continue to update "Velocity," utilizing data and AI professionals to examine gamer interactions.

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

bet365 had a successful 2024 before starting a new chapter with its Brazil launch. While the business CEO took a pay cut, bet365's earnings, specifically in the U.S., increased substantially year-on-year in the fiscal year ending March. The online sports betting wagering and casino provider likewise ended up being the main partner of the UEFA Champions League in August.