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

PrizePicks announces second Super Sweat Competition for the Super Bowl

Daily Fantasy sports betting (DFS) service provider PrizePicks has revealed the launch of its Super Sweat competitors for the second year. The promotion will give players 3 chances to be selected to participate in a contest for $1 million and a trip to enjoy their choices 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 find our #SuperSweat competitors Once picked, everybody will have the ability to ... pic.twitter.com/bz4J5keHe1

Players can make an opportunity to sign up with the Super Sweat promo in three ways. The first is by publishing 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 best touchdown event on X, TikTok, and Instagram with the hashtag #SuperSweat. The final way to enter into 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 an opportunity to play on game day for a share of an additional $1 million reward by tailing the lineups of the three rivals in the Super Sweat competition. PrizePicks will announce its 3 competitors on February 7.

PrizePicks has actually broadened because it provided the Super Sweat competitors for the last Super Bowl, including peer-to-peer 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 acquired from both jurisdictions. The site is now readily available in more than 45 U.S. states.

Florida Gaming Commission panelists agree existing unlawful gaming statutory is insufficient

The Florida Gaming Commission just recently affirmed existing statutory classifications and charges for unlawful gaming offenses were insufficient.

"There's just a lot cash to walk around. If a dollar does not go to a licensed facility or a tribal facility, it's going into a lawbreaker's pocket. It's as simple as that," executive director Ross Marshman specified, testifying before the Florida Legislature Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

Up until now, licensed pari-mutuel facilities, card rooms, and slot centers are the only forms of lawful land-based gaming in the Sunshine State. Still, panelists revealed growing issue over the boost in prohibited video gaming within the state, as the present statute does not prevent facilities from making unlawful sports betting easier to access.

"There is absolutely no disincentive for these facilities to close down due to the misdemeanors that they face," 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 lucrative."

Recently, Florida law enforcement split down on illegal facilities across the state, with 10 locations in Jacksonville forced to close in December. The Jacksonville Sheriff's workplace exposed more than a dozen locals were involved in a gambling ring that was running given that 2021, leading to 5 people detained for racketeering offenses.

Likewise, Florida also had among the most recognizable gaming lawsuits in the last few years, with the Seminole Tribe-operated Hard Rock sportsbook suspending operations after its launch in 2021, with the lawsuit lasting till 2024.

Acid rock Bet becomes newest member of Unity by Acid rock Loyalty program

Hard Rock International announced its sportsbook, Acid rock Bet, will become the most recent addition to its Unity by Acid rock loyalty scheme.

Acid rock Bet will keep its online commitment rewards program for users but will let gamers 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," said Keith Sheldon, president of entertainment and brand management at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. "This improvement not just offers a fun, interactive way for guests to earn points when placing bets, however also significantly increases loyalty."

Playing on Acid rock Bet can now lead you to experiences around the world

Hard Rock Bet Unity pic.twitter.com/JRHPtD00Zr

Unity by Acid rock lets users redeem Unity Points at one of Acid rock's global areas. There are more than 200 participating areas, including hotels, gambling establishments, coffee shops, and Rock Shops. Likewise, Acid rock's partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises allows gamers to redeem points on Royal Caribbean's Club Royale and Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club.

"By rewarding guests for their playtime, we create a win-win situation where visitors delight in an enriched experience, and we cultivate an introduction to all the amazing verticals in our brand name through point redemption chances at Hotels, Casinos, Cafes, Rock Shops and home entertainment locations," Sheldon continued.

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

Incentive Games launches crash video game with bet365

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

Incentive Games assures that it will continue to upgrade "Velocity," using data and AI experts to examine 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 live on the launch date, in addition to Flutter Entertainment's Betfair.

bet365 had a successful 2024 before beginning a brand-new chapter with its Brazil launch. While the company CEO took a pay cut, bet365's earnings, particularly in the U.S., increased significantly year-on-year in the fiscal year ending March. The online sports betting and casino supplier likewise became the official partner of the UEFA Champions League in August.