Customers wanted full-game injury protection. FanDuel launched Bet Protect+

Player injuries are one of the biggest frustrations in U.S. sports betting. A bettor can research a player prop thoroughly only to watch it unravel when that player leaves the game hurt. Until now, the issue has been largely unresolved, with the industry's best answer being promotional safety nets: partial refunds, often in bonus bets, covering only the first quarter or first half.

The data and customer feedback suggests that approach falls short. According to analysis by FanDuel's product team, half of all NBA injuries this season have occurred in the second half of games, with the third quarter seeing the highest concentration. Standard protection models expire before the highest-risk window even begins. This insight led FanDuel to create Bet Protect+ - an industry-first innovation designed to give customers greater control over how they protect their bets when player injuries occur.

No US product has offered full-game injury coverage for bets - until Bet Protect+

How it works

Bet Protect+ is the latest example of innovation in U.S. customer generosity. It is presented as an optional feature within FanDuel Sportsbook that provides full-game injury protection on player prop bets. When placing an eligible bet, customers see a toggle in their bet slip. Opting in costs a flat 3% premium on the wager, displayed transparently before the bet is placed.

Launched in April, just in time for the NBA Playoffs, Bet Protect+ can be applied to NBA pre-live and live player prop bets, with plans to expand to additional sports. If a player leaves the game due to injury at any point, straight bets are refunded in full in cash, and parlay legs are removed with the payout recalculated. Protection applies for the entire game.

"Even with the most well-planned bet, the most comprehensive research, the best hunch, it can all get squashed by an unexpected injury," said Jon Sadow, Sportsbook Product Vice President at FanDuel. "We want to allow our customers to regain that loss of control."

What this tells you about Flutter's product approach

While Bet Protect+ is a product of FanDuel, Flutter's leading US sportsbook, it further demonstrates how Flutter brands prioritize the customer experience, with similar offerings available in other sports in other key sports betting markets.

Across its global portfolio – which includes Paddy Power and Betfair in the UK and Ireland, Sisal in Italy, and Sportsbet in Australia – Flutter has consistently invested in proprietary product features that create differentiation through personalized offers and tailored generosity, rather than purely promotional spend.

In the U.S., FanDuel has stated it will not profit from Bet Protect+ directly. The 3% premium covers the cost of providing the protection, not margin. By making the feature opt-in and self-funded, FanDuel avoids a trade-off common across the industry: funding promotional offers through less competitive odds or reduced generosity elsewhere on the platform.

Customer research drove the design. More than half of surveyed users chose paid full-game protection over free partial coverage, with the preference strongest among experienced bettors who evaluate wagers in terms of expected value. The product was built around what customers wanted, not what was cheapest to offer.

**The feature is available in most US states where FanDuel operates. Customers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey currently retain free first-quarter injury coverage with bonus bet refunds.