Betting Apps Fanatics Sportsbook Fanatics Fair Play - Explained
Fanatics Fair Play

Fanatics Fair Play - Explained

Fanatics Sportsbook is once again changing the game by introducing its Fair Play initiative, giving users protection from early-game injuries. Learn how you can avoid having your bets ruined by injury with Fanatics Fair Play!
Jake Koehler Profile Image
Written by Jake Koehler Lead Content Writer
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

What is Fanatics Fair Play?

Fanatics Sportsbook, the self-proclaimed most rewarding sportsbook, has introduced a one-of-a-kind initiative called Fair Play.

All sports bettors know the feeling of missing a bet because a player they bet on left the game or match early on and didn't return. It is, without a doubt, one of the worst ways to lose a bet.

Fair Play is designed to prevent this scenario, protecting bettors from these tough beats due to an early exit.

If a player you bet on leaves for whatever reason, Fanatics Sportsbook will make it right, however that looks in your scenario.

The short description of Fair Play is that it voids bets due to injury, but it does much more than that.

Fair Play doesn't always void bets. If your player prop has hit, then it stays. Fanatics Sportsbook only voids the bet if it results in a loss for you. This is great news for when betting the under.

In some sports, Fair Play protects more scenarios than just injury.

Other circumstances that qualify include:

  • The player is ejected
  • The player withdrawals from the competition
  • The player is disqualified

Each sport has its own rules for when Fair Play kicks into effect.

Fanatics Sportsbook App

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Fanatics Sportsbook App Sign-Up Bonus

10 x $100 Bet Matches in FanCash

Fanatics Fair Play is a major game-changer, but is just one of many great reasons to sign up for the sportsbook app!

It offers a big sign-up promotion and has more rewarding incentives such as the FanCash Rewards program.

Get up to $1,000 in FanCash Over Your First 10 Days on Fanatics Sportsbook
21+. New customers in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA/MA/MD/ MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VT/VA/WV/WY/DC only. Different offer available in other Fanatics Sportsbook states.
. Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance.
See full Promo Terms and FanCash terms in the Fanatics Sportsbook app.

Fanatics Fair Play Rules by Sport

An athlete getting injured near the end of the game will not qualify for Fair Play, as they are deemed to have had enough time to cash their over.

The guidelines for when Fair Play comes into play for each sport is as follows:

Sport / League
When Fanatics Fair Play Rules Apply
NFL
Your player leaves injured in the 1st half and doesn't return
NBA & WNBA
Your player leaves in the 1st quarter and doesn't return
MLB
  • The pitcher starts, throws at least one pitch, and leaves with injury before recording three outs
  • The batter starts the game, records one plate appearance, and leaves for any reason before their second appearance
NHL
Your player leaves injured in the 1st period and doesn't return
Golf
Your player starts the tournament but withdraws from the tournament before the start of the second round
Tennis
Your player/team retires or is disqualified after the match has started

One interesting thing to note from the wording Fanatics Sportsbook displays in its rules is for basketball the word "injury" is left out. That means if a player doesn't return for any reason, such as a benching/coaching decision or ejection, the prop will qualify for Fair Play.

On the flip side, Fanatics specifies the word injury for NFL, MLB, and NHL bets. This eliminated the chances of your bet being voided in those sports due to benching or ejection.

That means that if your starting pitcher comes out and gives up 5 runs in the first inning and is pulled for poor performance, your bet won't be voided.

The main thing Fanatics Sportsbook is trying to eliminate is losses due to injury, which is the fair thing to do.

How Does Fanatics Fair Play Work?

Here is a step-by-step guide to how Fanatics Fair Play works and how it comes in handy!

1
Sign up for the Fanatics Sportsbook App

The first step to taking advantage of the Fair Play program is to sign up with Fanatics Sportsbook!

Signing up is quick and easy. You just need to provide some basic information such as full name, address, email, and date of birth.

Then, you will have your verified by submitting a photo ID and SSID.

If you have an account with Fanatics for its merchandise & memorabilia company, you can use that same account!

Also, if you had an account with PointsBet, that can also be transferred into a Fanatics Sportsbook account.

2
Place a bet on any player prop across many sports

With many sports to choose from that have Fair Play, there are nearly countless options for making your bets.

Fair Play works for multiple types of bets, including:

  • Straight bets
  • Parlays
  • Same-game parlays

However, keep in mind that the program is for player props. If you bet on a team to win and they lose their star player early on, that unfortunately does not count.

Once you place your bet, it is automatically protected by Fair Play. There is no opting-in required!

3
Your player is Injured / leaves early

No one wants injury to happen in sports, but it's great to have insurance in case it does.

If your player gets injured in the designated time frame (first quarter, half, or period for most sports), then they enter the Fair Play radar. A special team of Fanatics workers monitors the situation, and if your player doesn't return, that bet is voided or paid out.

4
Your funds are paid back or paid out!

Now, you get to see the benefits of Fair Play. If your injured player prop was a straight bet, then your funds will be refunded to your account. When your voided bet was part of a parlay or same-game parlay, the total payout is reduced to what it would have been without that leg.

Remember, if you took the under and your player was injured, you still win your bet rather than have it voided!

Fanatics Fair Play Summary

In my years of experience with various betting apps, the Fanatics Fair Play program is one of the best individual reasons to sign up for a sportsbook there is.

Other sportsbooks very rarely will make these exceptions, whereas Fanatics has set guidelines for when they will void bets. No more wondering "Will my player be voided" is needed when betting with Fanatics Sportsbook.

I can't count how many times I've been personally affected by player injuries ruining my bets. This needs to become a universal feature across the top betting apps.

Hopefully, other online sportsbooks take note and implement similar programs, but for now, Fanatics Sportsbook has separated itself from the pack with Fair Play.

Update: The DraftKings Early Exit Program has recently launched, becoming the first top competitor to mimic Fanatics Fair Play.

Fanatics Sportsbook Fair Play FAQ

What is Fanatics Fair Play?

Fanatics Fair Play is a feature added by Fanatics Sportsbook that can void bets for players who get injured early on. This is a great protection and a huge reason to bet with Fanatics.

Does Fanatics refund my bet in case of injury?

Yes, with Fanatics Fair Play, bets on any player who is injured early enough in the game or match (depending on the sport) will be voided if the bet results in a loss but paid out if it has resulted in a win.

If it is part of a parlay, then that leg will be voided and there will be a reduced payout.

Will Fanatics void bets for injured players?

Yes, Fanatics Sportsbook is great about voiding bets due to injury with its Fair Play initiative.

If the player you bet on is injured or doesn't appear in the game or match for other reasons past a certain point, that bet will be voided.

When does a player have to leave the game for Fanatics to void?

It depends on the sport, but the general rule is that if the player leaves in the first quarter, half, or period and doesn't return to action, the player is considered out.

Jake Koehler Profile Image
Jake Koehler
Lead Content Writer

Sports have always been a major part of my life. I played football and basketball, and I'm an avid golfer. My love for sports naturally led to a passion for sports betting, which I've been doing for 8 years. Initially, I relied on offshore bookies in Oregon, but since the approval of legitimate sites in 2022, I understand the importance of using reliable betting apps. As a strong advocate for smart sports betting, I aim to guide bettors in the right direction.

I hold a Writing degree from Oregon State and a journalism certificate from Palomar College. My goal has always been sports journalism, and writing in the sports betting industry allows me to combine my skills and interests. So far, it has led me to some cool places, such as becoming a voter for the Maxwell Award (College Football Player of the Year).