FanDuel Introduces ‘Bet Protect’ to Refund NFL Prop Bets on Injured Players
FanDuel is rolling out a new feature called “Bet Protect,” a program designed to mitigate one of the most common frustrations for sports bettors: losing a player prop wager due to an early-game injury. The new offering, launched just in time for the NFL season, will provide refunds in the form of Bonus Bets on eligible wagers when a player is injured in the first quarter.
How ‘Bet Protect’ Works
The mechanics of the new program are designed to be straightforward, though they differ slightly between straight bets and parlays.
- For Straight Bets: If a customer places a straight (single) wager on an eligible NFL player prop and that player is injured in the first quarter, the bet will be refunded. While the wager will initially be settled as a loss in the user’s bet history, the stake will be returned as Bonus Bets, typically within 24 hours.
- For Parlays and Same Game Parlays (SGPs): The process is more nuanced for multi-leg wagers. If a player in an eligible prop bet gets injured in the first quarter, that specific leg of the parlay will be voided. The parlay is then re-priced based on the odds of the remaining legs. If all the other legs in the parlay win, the bet will be paid out in Bonus Bets at the new, recalculated odds.
The Strategic Rationale
The launch of Bet Protect is a direct response to a major source of customer frustration. An early-game injury to a key player can instantly invalidate a well-researched prop bet, leading to a negative user experience.
By offering this form of “injury insurance,” FanDuel is creating a significant competitive advantage. The player-friendly policy is designed to build goodwill and brand loyalty, potentially attracting and retaining customers who have been burned by early-game injuries in the past. The timing of the launch is clearly strategic, aimed at capturing the massive wave of betting interest that accompanies the start of the NFL season.
Key Program Details and Exclusions
The Bet Protect program comes with a specific set of eligibility rules.
- The offer applies only to NFL player prop bets.
- It covers markets for offensive players (including kickers) and select defensive players.
- It is valid for straight bets, parlays, and Same Game Parlays (SGP/+).
- Crucially, the protection only applies to bets placed before the game starts (pre-live); in-game wagers are not eligible.
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