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

PrizePicks announces 2nd Super Sweat Competition for the Super Bowl

Daily Fantasy sports betting (DFS) provider PrizePicks has announced the launch of its Super Sweat competition for the 2nd year. The promo will give gamers three possibilities to be selected to take part in a contest for $1 million and a trip to view their choices 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 rivals Once selected, everybody will have the ability to ... pic.twitter.com/bz4J5keHe1

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

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

Additionally, other gamers will have an opportunity to use video game day for a share of an extra $1 million prize by tailing the lineups of the three competitors in the Super Sweat competitors. PrizePicks will announce its three competitors on February 7.

PrizePicks has expanded given that it provided the Super Sweat competitors for the last Super Bowl, adding 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 gotten from both jurisdictions. The site is now readily available in more than 45 U.S. states.

Florida Gaming Commission panelists concur present illegal gaming statutory is insufficient

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

"There's only a lot cash to go around. If a dollar does not go to a licensed center or a tribal center, it's entering into a bad guy's pocket. It's as basic as that," executive director Ross Marshman specified, testifying before the Florida Legislature Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

Up until now, certified pari-mutuel facilities, card spaces, and slot centers are the only forms of legal land-based video gaming in the Sunshine State. Still, panelists expressed growing concern over the increase in prohibited video gaming within the state, as the current statute does not dissuade establishments from making illegal gambling simpler to gain access to.

"There is absolutely no disincentive for these facilities to shut 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 since they are so lucrative."

Recently, Florida law enforcement punished illegal establishments throughout the state, with 10 places in Jacksonville forced to close in December. The Jacksonville Sheriff's office revealed more than a dozen locals were associated with a betting ring that was operating since 2021, leading to five individuals detained for racketeering offenses.

Likewise, Florida likewise had among the most identifiable betting claims recently, with the Seminole Tribe-operated Acid rock sportsbook suspending operations after its launch in 2021, with the claim lasting till 2024.

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

Hard Rock International revealed its sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, will become the current addition to its Unity by Hard Rock commitment scheme.

Acid rock Bet will preserve its online loyalty rewards program for users however will let gamers earn Tier Credits for both programs. Players can transfer these credits in between the 2 and money in for either online or on-property benefits.

"Integrating Acid Rock Bet into Unity will be a game-changer for guest engagement," said Keith Sheldon, president of entertainment and brand name management at Acid rock International and Seminole Gaming. "This enhancement not just provides a fun, interactive way for visitors to make points when placing bets, but also significantly boosts commitment."

Using Acid rock Bet can now lead you to experiences all over the world

Acid Rock Bet Unity pic.twitter.com/JRHPtD00Zr

Unity by Hard Rock lets users redeem Unity Points at one of Hard Rock's international areas. There are more than 200 getting involved places, including hotels, casinos, cafes, and Rock Shops. Likewise, Hard Rock's collaboration with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises permits players to redeem points on Royal Caribbean's Club Royale and Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club.

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

Hard Rock Bet is likewise expanding its sportsbooks in other methods, adding jai-alai sports betting ahead of the 2025 World Jai-Alai League. Fans can delight in unique streaming and wagering material for jai alai on Hard Rock Bet platforms.

Incentive Games releases crash game with bet365

Game developer Incentive Games has 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 video game Incentive Games has made with bet365, however not the first time Incentive has partnered with bet365.

Incentive Games assures that it will continue to update "Velocity," using data and AI experts to analyze player interactions.

Legal online gaming introduced in Brazil on Jan. 1, with 68 online video gaming platforms going cope with a license. bet365 was among the platforms to go live on the launch date, in addition to Flutter Entertainment's Betfair.

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