Multiple sportsbooks handed back millions to their customers after Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka exited Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter due to injury.
Key Takeaways
- DraftKings returned nearly $10 million in the form of cash credits through its Early Exit program.
- Fanatics paid out $1.5 million in cash refunds through its Fair Play injury protection policy.
DraftKings and Fanatics have both introduced injury insurance policies that void prop bets on a player that leaves a game in the first half and doesn't return to the contest. Such a scenario played out Sunday when Egbuka exited the Week 6 matchup on Sunday afternoon.
As a result, DraftKings paid nearly $10 million back to its customers in the form of cash credits, the sportsbook revealed on Monday.
Fanatics returned $1.5 million to its customers who placed a prop bet on Egbuka, marking the largest single payout in the history of Fanatics' Fair Play program.
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 millions in refunds underscores how popular Egbuka is in the betting community.
The first-round draft pick ranks fourth in the league in receiving yards with 469 yards. He's also tied for second in receiving touchdowns with five.
Due to injuries to veteran teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Egbuka has vaulted to the top of 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.
