An injury to a fast-rising star led to the largest single payout in the history of Fanatics' injury protection program.
Key Takeaways
- Fanatics customers receive cash refunds on single player prop bets when a player goes down with a first-half injury.
- A second-quarter exit by a star rookie led to more than $1 million in refunds.
Fanatics revealed on Monday that the sportsbook returned a total of $1.5 million to customers who placed a prop bet on Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Bettors were given cash refunds whether they placed a pre-game bet or in-game bet on the rookie standout. Egbuka left Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.
Under Fanatics' Fair Play program, player prop bets are covered for the entire first half of NFL games. If a player leaves the game early due to injury, those bets are voided.
The policy helped one customer cash a six-leg parlay that resulted in a $27,000 payout.
Another day another FAIR PLAY™ save 🤝 this time on a 6-leg parlay that paid out 27K 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Ox74d654HS
— The Home of FAIR PLAY™ (@FanaticsBook) October 13, 2025
The injury protection plan also covered second-quarter injuries to Arizona Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki, and Tennessee Titans receiver Calvin Ridley.
Fanatics has found that 20% of its new customers are choosing its sportsbook due to the Fair Play policy.
Popular choice among bettors
The $1.5-million refund is a representation of how popular Egbuka is in the betting community.
The first-round draft pick has exploded on the scene, with 469 yards and five touchdowns through the first six games of his career.
Due to injuries to veteran teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Egbuka has climbed to the Bucs' wide receiver depth chart.
With his strong play and chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield, Egbuka player props were a popular draw entering Sunday's game.
He also entered the day as the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
