The Circa Survivor contest is poised to exceed last year’s record prize pool of $14.2 million, yet Circa Sports is currently facing a significant challenge. With less than two weeks remaining before the September 6 entry deadline, the sportsbook must contend with a $7.5 million overlay. This figure represents the amount Circa must add to the prize pool beyond the entry fees, which are set at $1,000 each.
As of Monday morning, there were 10,223 entries in the Survivor contest, which requires a total of 15,000 entries to meet its guaranteed prize money of $15 million. Recent sign-ups have been robust, showing a 40 percent increase over last year’s pace, suggesting a projected prize pool of $20 million. However, according to Mike Palm, vice president of operations for both Circa, D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate, the current trend may not sustain itself. “At this point last year, we had 7,400 entries. We’re up just over 2,800, which is a 38 percent increase,” he noted. “If you extrapolate that out, it suggests a prize pool of approximately $19.6 million.”
Participants in the Survivor contest select one NFL team each week to win outright, without considering point spreads. Contestants can only use each team once throughout the season, which spans 20 weeks including the regular season, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Circa has previously allocated approximately $4 million over the last four years to cover contest overlays, including $183,000 last year to fulfill the $6 million guarantee for the Million contest. This contest, which requires entrants to make five weekly NFL picks against the spread, is currently ahead of last year’s entry rate with 3,235 entries. It needs 6,000 entries to meet its guarantee. Palm projects that the Million contest will likely end close to the $6 million mark.
Grandissimo Contest Surpasses Expectations
In a notable development, Circa’s new $100,000-entry Grandissimo contest, an ultra-high-roller version of Survivor, has already surpassed its $1.5 million guarantee with 22 entries recorded. Palm mentioned that there are additional participants who have wired their money but have yet to register. “I would estimate we could see entries rise to around 35 or even 40,” he said.
The Grandissimo contest has attracted a mix of entries, with some groups of friends pooling resources and others entering as individuals. Palm expressed surprise at the number of new participants who are not regular customers at Circa. “Last week, a businessman from Miami signed up for the Grandissimo and 10 Survivor entries while on vacation in Utah after discovering the contest online,” he recounted. “He flew to Las Vegas just to register and then returned to his vacation, which is really remarkable.”
Westgate SuperBook’s Contests Show Strong Participation
Meanwhile, the Westgate SuperBook is also witnessing significant activity in its contests. The new $500-entry SuperContest College had 745 entries as of Monday morning, resulting in a prize pool of $372,500. The registration deadline is set for 15:00 on Friday, with Week 1 picks due by 17:00 on the same day. SuperBook vice president of race and sports, John Murray, expressed optimism for a late surge, aiming for approximately 900 entries in the college contest.
In addition, the SuperContest, which requires a $1,500 entry fee and involves five weekly NFL picks against the spread, has garnered 460 entries for a total prize pool of $690,000. The $5,000-entry winner-take-all SuperContest Gold has attracted 36 entries with a prize pool of $180,000, while the SuperContest Survivor has 56 entries for a prize pool of $280,000.
As the entry deadlines approach, both Circa Sports and Westgate SuperBook are positioned for a competitive season, with participants eager to compete for substantial prize pools.