So, you want to be a pro sports bettor.
The obvious destination for aspiring bettors is Las Vegas. Known for its dazzling lights, extravagant hotels, and of course, world-class sportsbooks, the city is the mecca for those looking to hit it big, especially during the NFL season.
High-stakes contests like Circa Survivor, Circa Millions, and the Westgate Super Contest lure bettors with enormous payouts, often reaching upwards of $6 million. For a $1,000 buy-in, participants not only aim for the cash but also the coveted title of being among the best in the field.
“This is the crown achievement as a bettor to show you are the best,” Matty Simo, a founder at Football Contest Proxy, told The Post.
However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies the reality of the betting process. To participate, you generally have to be physically present at a Vegas betting operation. For instance, at Circa Sportsbook, you need to make your selections in person at the counter, a requirement that can complicate things in an increasingly digital world.
While mobile sports betting has surged in popularity, the requirement to be on-site creates a niche for proxy services. These businesses can make the betting process easier, allowing participants to pay a fee—typically ranging from $200 to $300 per season—to have someone else place bets on their behalf at venues like Circa or Westgate.
This peculiar ecosystem thrives and is valued in the seven-figure range each season. “Twenty years ago, we only had 12 clients,” says co-founder Toni Law. “Now, we have 3,000 and growing each year.”
To utilize these proxy services, participants must be in Las Vegas to sign some paperwork at the sportsbook. After signing, they can authorize the proxy service to handle their picks each week, bridging the gap for those unable to be present at the counter.
The Circa Survivor contest, for instance, had an impressive 13,000 entries last year, a number that is expected to rise even higher by 2025. However, aspiring bettors should know that life can get in the way, creating potential obstacles in their betting journey.
Betting on the NFL?
The 2020 NFL season serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable the betting landscape can be. Impacted by COVID-19, bettors faced unexpected challenges: missing entries, fluctuating spreads, and a general sense of chaos. “Wonky things happen sometimes,” Simo notes. “There are thousands of emails, tickets go in, picks are made, and it’s a grueling schedule.”
Fees for proxy services fluctuate based on submission timing, with Saturdays being the most expensive day, but also offering the advantage of finalizing picks closer to game time. The busy holiday season, particularly on Thanksgiving, complicates things further, as sportsbooks often treat the large set of games as a separate week, ramping up demand for proxy services.
Looking ahead, the 2025-26 football season promises to be a landmark year for contest participants. Circa has announced an ambitious new contest tailored for extreme bettors, featuring a staggering $100,000 buy-in that guarantees a minimum prize pool of $1.5 million.
The New York Post’s Doug Kezirian showcased his skills with a 14th-place finish in the 2023 Circa Million, adding to the excitement and competition among bettors who dream of hitting it big in Las Vegas.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Here at The Post, our betting experts come from diverse backgrounds, including Erich Richter, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt with a remarkable track record in MMA betting. Over the past two seasons during football season, he has achieved impressive profits in the player prop market, focusing on long shots while maintaining a 30.15 percent return on investment since 2022.