Circa Signature Contests Promise Bigger Payouts
Sportsbook Touts Bigger Guarantees in New Commercial
Football handicapping contests have been a mainstay in the state of Nevada since the late 1970s. The old Castaways sportsbook had its first point spread contest in 1978.
The entry fee was $1,000, which was pretty steep in those days. There were 56 entrants and the winner received $42,000. The first winner was the controversial Gary Austin, who parlayed his fame into a sports service that didn’t have the greatest reputation.
Another contest, known as “Friendly Frank’s Pick the Pros” contest began the same year and offered a $75,000 total payout. The winner received $25,000, while the last-place finisher received $5,000.
There were also weekly payouts. It didn’t use the point spread. Both of those contests laid the foundation for the current Circa signature contests, which are going to feature larger guaranteed payouts.
Not a whole lot is known about the details, but the Circa signature contests have been promoted in a new commercial. About the only thing known is they will offer higher guarantees, which weren’t bad in 2023.
The Circa Million contest guaranteed $6 million in payouts, with $1 million going to the winner. That’s a pretty solid return on a $1,000 entry fee.
The Circa Survivor contest had an $8 million guarantee and paid out $9.26 million to four different individuals.
The guarantee is one that Circa should be able to make. As sports betting continues to grow throughout the United States, more people are dabbling in it than ever.
Somebody who has been gambling online may decide to swing for the fences and go for the big payout.
Contest Proxies Will Be in Demand
With the Circa signature contests getting more publicity due to higher guaranteed payouts, more bettors are likely to enter them.
They certainly pay more than a moneyline bet parlay. From that perspective, the contest proxies will likely be busier than ever.
All weekly picks have to be turned in from the state of Nevada. With many contest entrants living in other states, a proxy can can be used to turn in your weekly selections.
You have to enter contests from Nevada. If you live in New York, you’ll have to fly to Nevada to turn in your entry fee. At that time you can designate a proxy who will turn in your weekly contest picks.
Your proxy has to be with you when you first sign-up for the contest. Proxies typically charge a flat fee of $200 to $300 depending on the contest and when you want your deadline to be.
It costs more to turn in your picks on Saturday than on Friday.
Some proxies used to charge a percentage of any winnings, but competition among the different proxy services has ended that for the most part.
You simply give your picks to your proxy each week and they turn them in for you. Most football proxy services handle the Circa signature contests, along with those at the Westgate, Golden Nugget and William Hill.
The general rule of having to appear in person to enter a contest is pretty universal regardless of the contest you plan to enter.
For betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
