DraftKings Launches ‘Early Exit’ Program to Refund Prop Bets Impacted by Player Injuries

DraftKings announced the launch of a new “Early Exit” program that will refund customers when a player leaves due to injury in the beginning stages of a competition. 

The sportsbook announced new rules on Friday, stating that pre-match and full-game prop bets will be refunded as cash credits if the bets are impacted by a player exiting the game early. The timeline differs depending on the sport, with bets refunded across NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, golf, and soccer matches. 

Check out the “Early Exit Windows” at DraftKings for each sport here:

• MLB: Pitcher exits before three outs or batter exits before second plate appearance (must start game)
• NBA: First quarter
• WNBA: First quarter
• NFL: First quarter
• Golf: Withdraws before start of second round
• NHL: First period
• Soccer: Subbed out in first half (including injury time, excluding half time subs)

Customers will receive a cash credit in the amount of single prop bets that meet Early Exit eligibility criteria. For parlays and same-game parlays, customers will receive a cash credit based on recalculated odds if all remaining legs win.

The announcement comes at a time when prop bets are facing increasing scrutiny due to several high-profile cases where players have been implicated in betting scandals. 

‘Early Exit’ Program Debuts Amid Scrutiny Over Prop Bets

The NBA’s Terry Rozier remains under federal investigation for suspicious betting activity on a game in which he exited the court after 10 minutes with a foot injury. 

A bettor won $13,017.70 by wagering on the “UNDERS” in Rozier’s prop markets, which were placed on the morning of the game at Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino, run by Caesars in Mississippi. 

DraftKings defines the early exit window as the first quarter for NBA games. Under the terms of DraftKings’ new program, this would have resulted in bets on the “OVERS” for Rozier’s prop bets being refunded. 

Micro Bets Not Eligible for ‘Early Exit’ Consideration at DraftKings

Two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians have been placed on leave as an MLB investigation is underway into suspicious betting on in-play bets, or “micro bets” as they are commonly known. 

Emmanuel Clase was suspended last week following the earlier suspension of Luis Ortiz. The details of Clase’s case are not yet publicly known, but the investigation into Ortiz relates to two pitches he threw in separate games during June. 

It’s worth noting that micro bets are not covered under the “Early Exit” program at DraftKings. Only pre-match and full-game prop bets are eligible for refunds.