Circa Sports has done it again – the Las Vegas-based sports betting brand’s record-breaking professional football contest Circa Survivor reached 15,000 sign-ups as of 3 September, covering the guarantee of $15 million. Any additional signups will increase the prize pool, leading to the largest purse ever for this type of contest. Last year’s Circa Survivor guaranteed a $10 million prize pool and awarded a payout of $14,266,000. Reaching the guarantee has officially deemed this year’s Circa Survivor the largest professional football betting contest ever.

Also returning for the 2025-26 season, Circa Million VII features a $6 million guarantee. With 4570 entries as of 3 September, Circa Sports faces a $1,430,000 overlay. This means that Circa Million VII entries will have more implied value, as the prize pool will be supplemented by Circa Sports.

The new ultra-luxury survivor-style contest with a $1.5 million guarantee, Circa Grandissimo, sits at 49 entrants with a $100,000 buy in each.

To catch up on the action from the 2024-25 Circa Survivor season, stream “Circa Survivor: The Quest for $14.2 Million” now available on VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, spotlighting the high-stakes action of the world’s largest professional football contest. Produced by Longball Productions, the docuseries follows contestants from across the country as they compete in the 2024 Circa Sports Circa Survivor Pro Football Contest, which offered a history-making $14.2 million prize pool.

Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI), a national leader in behavioral addiction research, announced the launch of Stigma Stand Down (SSD), a Colorado statewide initiative dedicated to confronting stigma, breaking down barriers, and fostering resilience among active-duty service members, veterans, and their families impacted by mental health and gambling-related challenges.

Inspired by military “safety stand-downs,” SSD addresses the hidden burdens carried by those who serve, where stigma often prevents seeking help for mental health issues, including gambling disorder – a condition up to 3.5 times more prevalent in military populations than civilians. With over 60,000 active-duty, guard, and reserve personnel in Colorado, as well as the rapid growth of legalized sports betting since 2018, SSD arrives at a critical time to normalize conversations around mental health, PTSD, depression, substance use, and gambling-related harms.

“Stigma is a silent enemy that leaves our service members and veterans isolated, harming their families, units, and mission readiness. Stigma Stand Down is our frontline response: dismantling shame and delivering free, confidential, evidence-based care designed for military realities. We thank our partners for standing with us and call on more allies to help transform lives and build stronger communities,” said Mark Lucia, Director of Programming at Kindbridge Research Institute.

Key elements of Stigma Stand Down include:

• Education and Resources: Practical, no-jargon webinars, videos, and courses on gambling disorder, mental health, financial literacy, and stigma reduction, accessible via a dedicated, mobile-friendly website for leaders, families, and providers.

• Free Mental Health Support: Through a partnership with Kindbridge Behavioral Health – a specialized national telehealth provider for gaming, gambling, and mental health issues – military members and their families can access free, confidential virtual therapy sessions.

• Statewide Outreach: Multimedia campaigns, on-base distributions, geographically targeted ads, and veteran-led stories to reach rural and underserved areas, fostering a culture where seeking help is seen as strength.

• Self-Assessment Tools: An anonymous Gambling Self-Check (BBGS) screener providing immediate, personalized feedback to encourage early intervention.

SSD builds on insights from KRI’s 50×4 Vets initiative and partnerships with organizations including the University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of New Mexico, Cactus Advertising Agency, and Kindbridge Behavioral Health. This program was made possible through grants provided by the Colorado Division of Gaming and FanDuel.

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) unanimously approved license renewals for Detroit’s three commercial casinos—MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown—during its regularly scheduled public board meeting.

The annual approval follows a comprehensive review of each casino’s operations, regulatory compliance, and commitment to responsible gaming practices, as required under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The decision ensures that Detroit residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a safe, secure, and well-regulated gaming environment.

“Detroit’s commercial casinos are not only entertainment destinations but also major contributors to the city and state economies. By renewing these licenses, the Board reaffirms its commitment to a gaming industry that promotes integrity, accountability, and community benefit. Our oversight helps ensure that patrons have a fair and responsible experience, while Michigan residents continue to see the economic value generated by casino revenues,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.

The Detroit casinos play a vital role in supporting public services through wagering and sports betting taxes. Licensees are taxed at a rate of 19% on adjusted gross receipts, with 8.1% going to the state and 10.9% to the City of Detroit, along with development agreement payments. Casinos also pay an 8.4% tax on retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts and annual fees that support the state’s regulatory functions. These funds help sustain city services, economic development, and state initiatives.

The MGCB also emphasized the importance of small business participation in the casino supply chain, with measures in place to broaden opportunities for local vendors and suppliers.

Each of Detroit’s three casinos will be eligible for renewal again in September 2026.