Fanatics Fair Play Policy: Protecting Bettors from Early Injury Heartbreak
There's nothing worse than watching your carefully researched player prop bet collapse because of an early injury, especially during a big game. While most sportsbooks call this "tough luck," Fanatics Sportsbook does something different. Their Fair Play policy actually protects you with refunds when players leave early due to injury.
Sports betting has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. Whether you're betting on game wins, player props, or parlays, there are tons of ways to get more invested in the action.
But player injuries happen, and they can kill your bet instantly. When a star player goes down early, your research means nothing. That's why Fanatics' Fair Play policy matters: it protects you from circumstances completely beyond your control.
What is the Fanatics Fair Play Policy?
Fanatics Fair Play is a discretionary house rule that will void losing player prop bets if the player you wagered on leaves due to injury early in the game and does not return. Players or events included under the Fair Play policy are those specifically named in your bet and affected by injury within the designated early period. This groundbreaking approach addresses one of sports betting’s most common frustrations, offering bettors protection when included players exit games prematurely due to injury.
The policy operates on a simple principle: if your selected player gets injured early within the designated early period of a game and doesn’t return, Fanatics Sportsbook will void your bet (returning your stake as an award). The result of the bet is determined by the player's performance or injury status at the time of exit. This means bettors literally cannot lose when the Fair Play policy is triggered, and the same applies to individual legs of parlays.
What sports have Fanatics Fair Play?
Available for across many of the top leagues and sports in the US, such as NFL, NBA/WNBA, NHL, MLB, Tennis and Golf, Fanatics Fair Play are not limited to straight wagers only, but also apply to parlays and same-game parlays. Here are the major sports you can expect Fair Play Protection to kick:
| Sport/League | Fair Play Protection Rules |
| NFL | Protected when your player is injured in the first half does not play again. Unders are wins though, not voided, if the player leaves for an injury early. Pre-season games do not apply here. |
| NBA | In the regular season if a player leaves in the first quarter due to injury and doesn't return. For the playoffs it is extended to the first half. The All-Star game does not apply here. |
| MLB | If your pitcher starts and throw at least one pitch, but are injured before getting three outs. Protection for batters who get one plate appearance but leave and don't have any more plate appearances. All-Star events do not apply here. |
| NHL | Get protected when an NHL player leaves because of injury in the first period and doesn't return to the hockey game. |
| WNBA | Player prop bets are protected by Fanatics if a WNBA player leaves in the first quarter due to injury and does not play again. All-Star events do not apply here. |
| Golf | Golf tournament prop bets are voided if a golfer withdraws before starting the second round after playing in the first round. |
| Tennis | Tennis match result wagers are refunded if a player retires or is disqualified after the match starts. Other markets in a match are voided. |
| Soccer | Soccer prop bets are covered here if a player starts but is substituted in the first half of regulation (including extra time). Halftime subs and friendlies do not apply here. |
How Fanatics Fair Play Works for Different Bet Types
When a player gets injured and triggers the Fair Play rules, Fanatics follows a clear process to ensure everything is handled fairly. Here's how it works for different types of bets:
Straight Wagers:
- Funds are returned to your account once the injury is confirmed
- Refunds only process after verification is complete
Parlays and Same Game Parlays:
- Only the affected leg gets voided or marked as a win
- Your remaining selections stay active
- You don't lose your entire multi-leg bet because of one early injury
The Fair Play Process:
- Before settling any bet, Fanatics verifies the injury and confirms account authenticity. The platform uses secure connections and strong security measures when handling Fair Play claims, and there's significant behind-the-scenes work to ensure smooth implementation.
Fanatics Fair Play: The Industry-Leading Innovation
No other major sportsbook offers this kind of protection, especially during big events for sports bettors. This unique approach has helped make Fanatics the fastest-growing sportsbook in America and sets them apart in a crowded market.
The Fair Play policy isn't just about keeping customers happy. It reflects a core belief that sports betting should be about athletic performance, not injury luck. By taking the sting out of early injuries, Fanatics has created a fairer, more enjoyable betting experience that puts fans first.
Fanatics Fair Play Conclusion and Tips for Next Steps
Fanatics Sportsbook's Fair Play policy protects you from early player injuries, so you can focus on the action instead of worrying about bad luck.
Tips for Using Fair Play:
- Possibly wager on player props for injury-prone positions (RBs, WRs, etc.)
- Don't avoid betting on players just because they might get hurt early
- Remember that only early exits trigger the policy—late-game injuries don't qualify
- Keep parlays simpler knowing one injury won't kill your entire bet
Ready to bet with real protection? Check out Fanatics Sportsbook and experience what fair play looks like.
Fanatics Fair Play FAQs
Have more questions about the Fanatics Fair Play rules? Check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Fanatics Fair Play below.
What is the Fanatics Fair Play policy exactly?
Fanatics Fair Play is a discretionary house rule that voids losing player prop bets if the player you wagered on leaves due to injury early in the game and doesn't return. If your selected player gets injured within the designated early period and doesn't come back, Fanatics Sportsbook will void your bet and return your stake. This means you literally cannot lose when the Fair Play policy is triggered.
Does Fanatics Sportsbook void a bet if a player gets hurt?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. The player must be injured during the designated "early period" of the game and not return. The timing varies by sport—for example, NFL protection covers injuries in the first half, while NBA regular season protection covers the first quarter (extended to the 1st half during playoffs). Late-game injuries don't qualify for the policy.
How do I qualify for the Fanatics Fair Play policy?
You automatically qualify if you place a player prop bet on a player who gets injured during the early period and doesn't return to the game. Fanatics verifies the injury and confirms your account authenticity before processing the void. The policy applies to the players specifically named in your bet across supported sports like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and others.
Are NFL bets part of Fanatics Fair Play?
Yes, NFL player prop bets are protected under Fair Play. If your player is injured in the first half and doesn't play again, your bet gets voided. However, there's one exception: "under" bets are counted as wins (not voided) if the player leaves early due to injury. Pre-season games are not covered by the policy.
What happens to my parlay if a player gets injured?
Only the affected leg of your parlay gets voided or marked as a win—your remaining selections stay active. This means you don't lose your entire multi-leg bet because of one early injury. The rest of your parlay continues as normal, which protects you from losing everything due to circumstances beyond your control.