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 mean to cover all the bases.

PrizePicks announces second Super Sweat Competition for the Super Bowl

Daily Fantasy sports betting (DFS) supplier PrizePicks has revealed the launch of its Super Sweat competitors for the second year. The promo will provide gamers three opportunities to be chosen to take part in a contest for $1 million and a trip to watch 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 various social contests leading up to the Big Game to discover our #SuperSweat competitors Once chosen, everyone will be able to ... pic.twitter.com/bz4J5keHe1

Players can earn an opportunity to join the Super Sweat discount in three methods. The first is by posting a screenshot of a lineup for the NFL Conference Championship on Instagram, TikTok, or X (previously Twitter) with the hashtag #SuperSweat.

The 2nd method is to post a video of your best goal celebration on X, TikTok, and Instagram with the hashtag #SuperSweat. The last way to get into the promotion is by publishing a screenshot of your favorite NFL lineup with the #SuperSweat on X, Instagram, or TikTok.

Additionally, other players will have a chance to play on video game day for a share of an additional $1 million reward by trailing the lineups of the three competitors in the Super Sweat competition. PrizePicks will announce its three rivals on February 7.

PrizePicks has expanded because 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 likewise introduced in Missouri and Delaware in October, and licensing approval was acquired 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 insufficient

The Florida Gaming Commission just recently testified existing statutory categories and penalties for unlawful video gaming offenses were inadequate.

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

Up until now, certified pari-mutuel facilities, card rooms, and slot facilities are the only forms of lawful land-based gaming in the Sunshine State. Still, panelists revealed growing concern over the boost in prohibited gaming within the state, as the existing statute doesn't prevent facilities from making illegal betting easier to access.

"There is zero disincentive for these facilities to close 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 successful."

Recently, Florida law enforcement split down on illegal establishments throughout the state, with 10 locations in Jacksonville forced to close in December. The Jacksonville Sheriff's workplace exposed more than a dozen residents were associated with a gambling ring that was operating given that 2021, resulting in five people arrested for racketeering offenses.

Likewise, Florida also had one of the most identifiable gaming claims in current years, with the Seminole Tribe-operated Hard Rock sportsbook suspending operations after its launch in 2021, with the claim lasting till 2024.

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

Hard Rock International revealed its sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, will end up being the current addition to its Unity by Acid rock commitment plan.

Hard 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," said Keith Sheldon, president of home entertainment and brand management at Acid rock International and Seminole Gaming. "This improvement not only offers an enjoyable, interactive method for guests to earn points when placing bets, however also substantially improves loyalty."

Using Hard Rock Bet can now lead you to experiences around the globe

Acid Rock Bet Unity pic.twitter.com/JRHPtD00Zr

Unity by Acid rock lets users redeem Unity Points at one of Hard Rock's global locations. There are more than 200 getting involved locales, including hotels, casinos, coffee shops, and Rock Shops. Likewise, Hard Rock's collaboration 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 visitors for their playtime, we produce a win-win circumstance where guests delight in an enriched experience, and we cultivate an intro 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 ways, adding jai-alai betting ahead of the 2025 World Jai-Alai League. Fans can enjoy special streaming and wagering content for jai alai on Acid rock Bet platforms.

Incentive Games introduces crash game with bet365

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

Incentive Games guarantees that it will continue to update "Velocity," using data and AI specialists to evaluate gamer interactions.

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

bet365 had a successful 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 considerably year-on-year in the monetary year ending March. The online sports betting and casino supplier also ended up being the main partner of the UEFA Champions League in August.