Fanatics is issuing full refunds or payouts for all player prop bets impacted by injuries during the first half of an NBA playoff game.
Key insights
- The policy was extended to cover first-half injuries in any NBA playoff game
- Effected bets will be refunded in cash or removed, if part of a parlay
- The Fair Play policy created more than $6 million in payouts since the start of the NFL season
Sportsbooks have often taken a “comes with the territory” mentality when dealing with injuries to players. A premature exit might be devastating for “over” bettors, but it will work to the benefit of every “under” bettor.
That 50/50 nature means that considering injuries as part of the sports betting process is not “unfair,” even if it is unplanned and uncontrollable.
Fanatics turned that conversation on its head with its “Fair Play” policy, which it has in place for most major sports. What once covered injuries through the first quarter was also extended to the entire first half just for the NBA playoffs.
A major win for the betting public, this policy has already had a resounding impact on the NBA postseason.
Fair Play saves the playoffs
Jimmy Butler exited the game in the first half.
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) April 24, 2025
Player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If it’s part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand. pic.twitter.com/fQQ0kLefjC
When Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler was lost to a glute injury after a nasty fall in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets, Fanatics still honored the action in which he was involved. That included a $10 10-leg parlay, which turned into $2,056 in winnings, and a $42 13-leg parlay, which won $5,012.
Ja Morant exited the game in the first half.
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) April 25, 2025
In accordance with Fair Play, player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand. pic.twitter.com/bvRlAIHHvU
Ja Morant’s injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook’s foot issue against the Los Angeles Clippers were also covered. Single bets were paid in cash, and parlays were allowed to proceed without the affected leg.
Russell Westbrook exited the game in the first half.
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) April 25, 2025
In accordance with Fair Play, player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand. pic.twitter.com/yLIPF232r4
A Fanatics statement shared with Covers on Friday said that customers have won more than $6 million since the start of the 2024 NFL season thanks to the Fair Play policy.
Huge wins for Fanatics customers
Fanatics added the Fair Play Hub to its app, giving customers a platform to track player news and Fair Play payouts.
One NFL bettor won $66,000, the biggest Fair Play payout of the season, thanks to a $100 five-leg parlay. The sportsbook’s policy canceled out a leg involving Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, who was injured against the New York Jets and would have tanked the wager.
Fanatics also paid out all straight bets and refunded parlay bets involving San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama to win Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with season-ending deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder in February, was about -2500 (96.1 percent implied chance) to win the award at the time of the injury.
In the continued spirit of customer loyalty, the sportsbook on Fridays also has its FanCash Drop game available in its app. The game awarded more than $750,000 in FanCash to customers just last week.
