Derek Stevens, casino mogul and CEO of Circa Sports, announced that the prize money for his three NFL contests will be increased to a total of $30 million this season, rivaling the massive football promotions available at the top offshore sportsbooks for U.S. players.

The Handicapping Hat Trick

  • Circa Survivor – Guaranteed $20 million prize pool
  • Circa Million VIII – Guaranteed $6 million prize pool
  • Circa Grandissimo – Guaranteed $4 million prize pool

NFL handicapping contests have become all the rage, but the Circa brand based in Las Vegas has three unique products that outshine them all. Circa Sports founder Derek Stevens’ trio of handicapping contests has become so popular that he is raising the minimum prize guarantee from a combined $25 million last year to $30 million this year.

“Circa Sports was built on creating contests that are bigger, bolder, and more player-friendly than anything else in the industry,” Stevens said last week. “This year’s $30-million guaranteed prize pool reflects the incredible momentum these contests have built over the years.”

Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas, Silverton Casino Lodge, Tuscany Suites and Casino, and Legends Bay in Sparks, Nevada, began accepting entries on May 22nd and will continue to do so until the deadline on September 12th.

“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,” Stevens said.

Although registration for any of the three contests must take place in Nevada, weekly selections can be made anywhere in the world through proxies who will physically enter the contestant’s choices for a fee. Proxy services generally cost between $100 and $250 per contest entry.

“Without the proxy services, we wouldn’t be able to pull this off,” Stevens said.

Circa Survivor (Prize Pool: $20 Million – Entry Fee: $1000)

The most popular contest of the three, this is the standard “one loss, and you’re out.” Contestants pick one team to win outright each week, with no point spread; only a victory is needed. If the team wins, the contestant advances to the next week but cannot choose that team again for the rest of the season.

Last year, the prize pool was $15 million, in which four contestants out of over 18,700 entries went 20-0 (extra picks are required in certain weeks) and split the grand prize, winning over $3.7 million apiece. It is the largest and most popular of Circa’s three NFL handicapping contests.

“There is a simplicity to it. You don’t have to overthink it,” he said. “You can spend a lot of time studying and strategizing, but it’s still a contest that anybody can win. Last year, a couple of (winners) were pros and a couple of them were not. It’s a hell of a lot more fun than playing Mega Millions or the lottery. The emotion you get when you put your Circa Survivor pick in, there’s just nothing like it.”

Circa Million VIII (Prize Pool: $6 Million – Entry Fee: $1000)

This is another of Circa’s hugely successful handicapping competitions, but this is designed to appeal to point spread handicappers. A maximum of 10 entries is allowed at $1000 each, and contestants must make five picks against the spread posted by Circa each week.

Each correct choice receives one point, while pushes are awarded a half point. ATS losers receive no points. The entry with the most points at the end of the year will receive $1 million and a ceremonial blue jacket, while cash prizes will be awarded to entries 2-100 as well as quarter prizes and “booby” prizes for the worst and second-worst entries.

Circa Grandissimo (Prize Pool: $4 Million – Entry Fee: $100,000)

Only high rollers need apply for this pricey survivor contest. The rules mirror those of Circa Survivor, but the fee is 100x steeper at $100,000 per entry with a maximum of two entries. In 2025, there were 69 entries in the contest’s inaugural year, in which six participants split the grand prize.

“A $100,000 entry fee is no joke,” Stevens said. “I don’t know what to expect. This is only Year 2. That’s why it’s a wild card.”