ESPN BET Introduces Injury Refund Policy for NFL Player Props
ESPN BET is rolling out a new “injury insurance” policy for NFL player prop bets, a move that will provide refunds to customers whose wagers are derailed by an early-game injury. The new feature will apply to bets placed on players who are injured in the first half of a game and are subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
How the New Injury Policy Works
The mechanics of the new policy are designed to provide a safety net for bettors.
- For Straight Bets: If a customer places a straight (single) wager on an eligible NFL player prop and that player is ruled out with an injury in the first half, the bet will be refunded. The refund will be issued in the form of a bonus bet equal to the original stake. It is important to note that bets on the “under” for a player’s stats in this scenario will be graded as winners and paid out in cash.
- For Parlays: If a prop bet impacted by an injury is part of a parlay, that specific leg of the parlay will be voided. The odds of the parlay are then recalculated based on the remaining, unaffected legs, and the wager proceeds with the new, adjusted payout.
An Industry Trend Driven by Player Props
ESPN BET is the latest major sportsbook to introduce this type of injury protection, joining a growing list of operators that includes FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics. The trend is a direct result of the explosive growth of player prop betting in recent years.
As more and more bettors engage with these markets, the frustration of losing a well-researched wager due to a freak injury has become a major pain point. By offering these “injury insurance” policies, operators are aiming to create a more positive user experience and build brand loyalty.
One of the most high-profile examples of this type of policy in action occurred in May, when Fanatics’ “Fair Play” policy was triggered after Stephen Curry was injured in a playoff game. The company publicly highlighted a case where a $5,000 four-leg parlay, which included a bet on Curry’s points total, ended up winning over $224,000 because the injured leg was voided.
The introduction of this new policy is a clear competitive move by ESPN BET, which is operated by PENN Entertainment. As the company continues to fight for market share in the crowded U.S. sports betting landscape, player-friendly features like this are a key way to differentiate its product.
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