Fanatics Sportsbook announced it refunded over half a million dollars in prop bets after Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry exited Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals due to a hamstring injury. The injury, which forced Curry off the court during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves, triggered Fanatics’ recently expanded Fair Play Policy — a customer-first initiative that proved to be a game-changer for bettors during the NBA playoffs.

Originally limited to the first quarter during the regular season, the Fair Play Policy now extends through the first half for postseason games. The update allows customers to recoup losses if a star player exits before halftime. In Curry’s case, Fanatics refunded all Over player prop bets in cash and automatically honored Under bets as wins. For parlays, any leg involving Curry was voided, and remaining legs continued with recalculated odds.

One Michigan bettor emerged as the standout beneficiary. They placed a $5,000 wager on a four-leg parlay, including Curry’s stats and a Champions League matchup between Inter Milan and Barcelona. Thanks to the policy voiding the Curry leg, the wager hit with boosted +9,240 odds, resulting in a staggering $224,773 payout — the largest ever recorded under Fair Play.

A Postseason Plagued by Injuries Spurs Policy Action

The NBA playoffs have seen an unusual concentration of star players succumbing to early-game injuries. Alongside Curry, notable names like Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Russell Westbrook have all exited first halves prematurely, each instance triggering Fanatics Sportsbook’s refund mechanism.

Fanatics reported that its policy has already returned more than $2 million to bettors during the NBA playoffs alone. Since launching the initiative at the start of the football season, cumulative Fair Play-related payouts and refunds have exceeded $8 million, reflecting the widespread impact and customer appeal of the feature.

Though similar injury-related refund policies exist across the sports betting landscape, Fanatics’ transparent and automatic approach distinguishes it in a competitive industry. By positioning the policy as a proactive promotion, the sportsbook underscores its commitment to fair treatment for users impacted by unforeseen player exits.

Policy Expansion Pays Off in Curry Case

Curry’s departure from Tuesday’s game came after he played only 13 minutes. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the team’s concern, noting postgame, “I talked to him at halftime, he’s obviously crushed, but the guys picked him up and played a great game.” The Warriors, even without their star guard for the second half, secured a 99-88 victory and took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Curry is scheduled for an MRI to determine the severity of the hamstring issue. While no official update has been provided for his availability in Game 2, multiple reports suggest he may miss up to a week, potentially sidelining him through at least Game 4.

Regardless of his return timeline, Fanatics’ prompt action in refunding affected bettors has drawn positive attention. Not only did it cushion potential losses for individual users, but it also reinforced customer confidence in the platform’s integrity.

As the playoffs continue, and with Curry’s status uncertain, Fanatics’ approach may become increasingly relevant. With over $8 million already paid out since the policy’s inception, it’s clear that the Fair Play initiative is more than a gimmick — it’s reshaping how sportsbooks handle the unpredictable nature of live sports.