How to Enter the Biggest Legal Football Contests in Vegas

^{Jeremy Brandt was the first Circa Survivor entrant during the first day of football contest sign-ups at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on May 22. (Photo: @FootballContest / X.com)}

LAS VEGAS – Football contests in Las Vegas originated as a way to draw bettors into a casino’s sportsbook on a weekly basis. Make your football contest picks, place your bets.

Before sports betting apps, you had to physically put in all your wagers at the sportsbook window. Participating in football contests got you in the book every week, and the odds of spending money on the casino property during your trip there were extremely high.

Fast forward to 2026, and those same principles still apply, despite the fact that proxies have taken over as the primary means of submitting picks, fueling the massive growth of Vegas football contests in the process. This year, Circa Sports is offering a record $30 million in guaranteed prize money for its Million, Survivor and Grandissimo contests. However, those guarantees would not be possible without allowing the use of a proxy.

With or without a proxy though, contestants must sign up in person for Vegas football contests at the casino’s sportsbook between now and Saturday, Sept. 12 (the day before the first Sunday of the NFL season). That is the number one requirement in order to participate in football contests, so out-of-staters will need to make travel plans before the season kicks off. Locals or proxies can then submit picks at sportsbook kiosks or via the app within Nevada.

What is a Football Contest Proxy?

A proxy is a third-party service football contest entrants can designate to submit picks on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves within the state of Nevada. Circa Sports Director of Operations Jeff Benson estimates that 90% of their contest entrants use a proxy because they reside outside Nevada and would not be able to participate otherwise. 

Last year’s combined prize pool for the Circa football contests ended up at $31,618,000. Of that amount, $22.5 million was guaranteed by Circa Resorts & Casino Owner and CEO Derek Stevens, with the difference coming as a result of additional entries pouring in that pushed the number over $30 million and set the precedent for this year. 

Without proxies, those figures would obviously pale in comparison. Stevens has been pro-proxy ever since he decided football contests would help launch the Circa Sports brand. The in-person sign-up requirement for football contests gets entrants through the doors and hopefully results in them spending more money there at the time and in the future.

"Since day one, proxies have been an integral element to the growth of the Circa Sports football contests," Stevens said. "There is no question that proxies help both the veterans and well as the first-time contestants.   The ability to assist the contestants has been critical, allowing people to participate yet still live their lives, wherever they live, anywhere in the world." 

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) strictly prohibits proxy betting, which involves hiring an individual to place bets on your behalf. But the NGCB makes an exception for football contests, permitting proxies because the sportsbook's betting lines are static and do not change.  In other words, everyone is on the same playing field in contests. With proxy betting, players can quickly capitalize on breaking news and line moves.

That said, there are many different proxies to choose from, which is why it is extremely important to do your own due diligence and make sure you are making the right choice. Picking the cheapest proxy isn't necessarily the best option; experience should play a key role in your decision. It is very important to find a proxy who has been involved in football contests for a long time and who makes it easy for you to submit picks to them.

What is the Total Cost to Enter Football Contests?

Entry fees for the Circa Million and Survivor contests are $1,000 each, with a max of 10, while the Grandissimo is $100,000, with a max of two. You can pay the Million and Survivor entry fees at the sportsbook with cash or use a credit card with a 3% fee. For the Grandissimo, you must ensure the funds are wired to the casino before you arrive.

Proxy fees typically range from $100 to $300, depending on which contests you enter and how many entries you sign up for. Some accept credit cards and let you prepay online.

In addition, your trip to Vegas may include travel expenses such as airfare, hotel, meals, and transportation. Since you're in Sin City, gambling and entertainment expenses could also be in the mix if you stay longer and make it a vacation.

Circa helps offset some costs with room offers for contestants: save 50% for two nights with 1-9 entries, get a complimentary two-night standard room with 10+ total entries, or a complimentary two-night premium suite with 20+ entries. Each room offer includes a pair of GA passes to Stadium Swim. The room offers must be used by Sept. 11, 2026.

While it may seem expensive to actually enter the football contests, the potential reward at the end of the season can obviously outweigh the initial costs. Keep in mind, five winning Circa Survivor entries split over $18,718,000 million in prize money last year for an average of $3,743,600.

If you enjoy handicapping NFL games and want to compete against the best in the world, participating in Vegas football contests could be more than worthwhile. The cost for a single Million or Survivor entry breaks down to $55.56 per week over the course of the season, and many contestants view that as a bargain even though the chances of actually winning are almost like hitting the lottery when you consider how many people enter.