Opinion: FanDuel Comes Up Short With No ‘BetProtect’ Offered for NFL Playoffs

When George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in Sunday’s 49ers-Eagles game, FanDuel bettors had no shot at receiving refunds after the sportsbook suspended its “BetProtect” program for the NFL Playoffs.

Ironically, Kittle started and ended the season with an early-game injury, having been sidelined by a torn hamstring in the opener against Seattle. FanDuel’s insurance policy only applied to injuries that occurred in the first quarter, and Kittle went down with about 10 minutes left in the first half of the Seattle game.

Kittle was also injured in the second quarter on Sunday against the Eagles, so FanDuel customers wouldn’t have received refunds in that case either. However, FanDuel’s decision to discontinue BetProtect altogether for the playoffs is curious.

There are several layers to this, and you can make the argument that sportsbooks shouldn’t even offer refunds. SuperBook Vice President of Risk Management Jeff Sherman told CasinoBeats at the start of the NFL season that his book does not “refund player props once a player plays.”

“Injuries are part of the gamble in sports,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fanatics continued its “FairPlay” protection program during the NFL Playoffs, as did DraftKings with its “Early Exit” policy. Both cover game-ending injuries that occur in the first half of play. Fanatics and DraftKings enjoyed a PR boost after FanDuel sidelined refunds for the postseason.

“While other sportsbooks like FanDuel are prioritizing their parlay business over protecting consumers for the playoffs, FAIR PLAY™ Injury Protection will continue for the NFL playoffs,” Fanatics stated in a press release.

After users grew accustomed to some level of injury protection for four months, they must have been disconcerted to see FanDuel run a reverse on BetProtect during the most critical part of the season. Parlay legs are also voided if players are injured early, and that seems only fair, given that these high-margin products increasingly drive significant revenue for sportsbooks.

After generating goodwill with fans throughout the regular season, why cancel BetProtect for the playoffs? CasinoBeats reached out to FanDuel for insights on why the decision was made.

“FanDuel Bet Protect is not available during the NFL Playoffs, and wagers will be settled according to FanDuel House Rules,” a FanDuel spokesperson said. “Other offers fans can take advantage of during the playoffs include No Sweat Bets, Profit Boosts, and special Live Profit Boosts for second-half action.”

FanDuel isn’t short on innovations, but in the case of BetProtect, the sportsbook should have finished what it started.