DraftKings rolled out a new refund policy Friday that credits customers when a player exits a game early due to injury.
The new “Early Exit” program applies to pre-game, full-game player prop bets placed on the DraftKings Sportsbook app or website. It includes singles, parlays, and same-game parlays, with terms and eligibility varying by sport.
“At DraftKings, we’re committed to delivering an exceptional fan experience while moving at the speed of sports,” DraftKings Chief Product Officer Corey Gottlieb said in a statement. “That means a product that responds to every part of every game, including when a player exits early due to an unforeseen injury.”
How Early Exit works
Bettors will receive a credit equal to their stake on eligible single bets impacted by an early injury. For parlays and same-game parlays, the leg tied to the injured player is removed and odds are recalculated using the remaining legs. The bet remains live and is paid out at the updated price if it wins.
For example, a three-leg parlay at +700 with three +100 legs would be adjusted to +300 if one leg qualifies for Early Exit.
DraftKings said qualifying bets will be credited within 24 hours of game completion (for singles) or within 24 hours of the final leg settling for parlays. However, these bets will still appear as “Lost” in the bettor’s wager history.
Sport-specific eligibility windows
The Early Exit policy is based on whether a player leaves during a specific portion of the game and does not return. The injury must occur within the designated timeframe for the bet to qualify:
| Sport | Timeframe |
| NFL | 1st quarter |
| MLB | Pitcher: before 3 outs Batter: before 2nd plate appearance |
| NBA | Regular season: 1st quarter Postseason: 1st half |
| WNBA | 1st quarter |
| NHL | 1st period |
| Soccer | Subbed off in 1st half (excluding halftime subs) |
| Golf | Withdraw before start of 2nd round |
The policy applies only to players who start the game.
What is not eligible?
DraftKings specified several conditions under which bets will not be eligible for Early Exit, including:
- Live or in-play player props
- Player props settled before injury (e.g., a hit over already cashed)
- “Under” props, which are paid as wins regardless of injury
- Injuries occurring outside the specified timeframe
DraftKings also said it reserves the right to modify or interpret the program at its discretion.
Others with injury-based refunds
While sportsbooks have long offered injury-related refunds at their own discretion, the Early Exit program marks a formal policy shift.
Fanatics Sportsbook launched a similar “Fair Play” program ahead of the 2024 football season. According to Fanatics, the program has issued more than $8 million in credits since launch, including over $500,000 during the NBA playoffs following an injury to Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry.
DraftKings’ new policy adds a consistent standard to refund requests that have often been handled case-by-case in the past.
