The NFL remains the most popular sport to wager on in the United States, and betting pools have become an increasingly popular alternative for bettors. Nevada-based sports betting brand Circa Sports announced on Tuesday that its popular Circa Survivor contest — in which contestants have to pick one NFL team each week to win its game outright and aren’t allowed to use the same team twice in a season — will have a record $20 million guarantee, up from $15 million last season.
It’s the biggest guaranteed payout ever for a legal U.S. sports betting contest.
Each Circa Sports Survivor entry costs $1,000 and there is a maximum of 10 entries per participant.
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Five winners ended up splitting the final prize pool of $18,718,000 in last season’s contest, with each winning entry taking home $3,743,600. Circa will also bring back its Circa Millions VIII contest, which requires contestants to make five NFL picks against the spread every week and has a guaranteed prize pool of $6 million.
Circa is also brining back its high-end survivor contest — Circa Grandissimo — which will guarantee $4 million as the prize pool and carries a $100,000 cost per entry.
“Circa Sports was built on creating contests that are bigger, bolder and more player-friendly than anything else in the industry,” Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports, said in a statement. “This year’s $30 million guaranteed prize pool reflects the incredible momentum these contests have built over the years. We’re grateful for the passionate community that continues to support Circa Sports, and we’re excited to welcome both returning contestants and first-time players for what will be our most thrilling season yet.”
Sign-ups for the contests begin Friday and run through Sept. 12.
Each contest requires the contestant to sign up in Nevada, and all weekly entries must be made in person by the contestant in the state or via a proxy.