DraftKings Announces New 'Injury Cashback' Option for Early Withdrawal
In a move to enhance customer protection and standardize refunds across prop bets, DraftKings has launched the Early Exit program on August 4, 2025. This initiative offers cash credits for prop bets when a player exits a game due to injury during specified early-game windows.
The Early Exit program applies to major sports such as NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, golf, and soccer. The exact "early exit" timeframes vary by sport:
- MLB: Pitcher exits before three outs or batter exits before their second plate appearance (must start game)
- NBA & WNBA: Injury occurs in the first quarter
- NFL: Injury occurs in the first quarter
- Golf: Player withdraws before the start of the second round
- NHL: Injury occurs in the first period
- Soccer: Player is subbed out in the first half (including injury time but excluding halftime subs)
For single prop bets meeting these criteria, the bettor receives cash credits equal to the wager amount. For parlays and same-game parlays, cash credits are issued by recalculating the odds based on the remaining legs if those legs win.
The program is designed to provide bettors with a safety net for bets negatively impacted by early-game injuries, without the need for a promo code. It reflects a growing industry trend of offering injury protections, similar to Fanatics Sportsbook’s Fair Play policy.
The Early Exit policy applies only to pre-match, full-game player prop bets on DraftKings' Sportsbook platform. Bets settled before the injury are ineligible, and the policy does not cover live or in-play player props.
The Early Exit program was tested in a weather delay that ended a Cincinnati Reds pitcher's appearance after three outs, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting bettors.
DraftKings reserves full discretion to interpret or adjust the program at any time. The initiative was launched in response to the increased attention on player injuries and fairness in prop betting.
With the Early Exit program, DraftKings continues to lead the way in the rising realm of online sportsbooks, positioning itself as a champion for consumer protection and fair play.
The Early Exit program, launched by DraftKings on August 4, 2025, extends to casino-games such as sports-betting, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, golf, and soccer, offering cash credits for prop bets when a player exits a game due to injury during specified early-game windows. This policy does not cover live or in-play player props and applies only to pre-match, full-game player prop bets on DraftKings' Sportsbook platform.
In addition to offering injury protections, the Early Exit program reflects a growing trend in the industry, similar to Fanatics Sportsbook’s Fair Play policy. This initiative provides bettors with a safety net for bets negatively impacted by early-game injuries without the need for a promo code. The program demonstrates DraftKings' commitment to sports-analysis and fair sports-betting practices, positioning itself as a leader in the online sportsbooks sector.
