What Is Early Cash Out in Betting?
US online sportsbooks are constantly working to offer their members cool features to help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Many now offer a cash out option that allows bettors to collect winnings on their wagers before the bet has been officially settled. This unique live-betting feature is growing increasingly popular among bettors looking to lock up profits or cut their losses early.
Some sportsbooks may use a different name for the cash out option, but most will offer it in some form. For example, some betting sites may use ‘buy out‘ or ‘early settlement‘. Whatever it is called, it works in the same way across all betting sites.
The main idea being cash out is to give bettors the ability to settle a bet during a game, thus accepting a payout less than the original amount before the event ends. The advantage of taking the cashout option is that you guarantee some profit that you can bank regardless of how the bet eventually gets settled.
US Betting Apps That Offer Cash Out
- #2. BetMGM Sportsbook – Massive Bonuses and Parlay Cash Out Offers
- #3. FanDuel Sportsbook – Competitive Odds and Speedy Cash Out Tool
- #4. Caesars Sportsbook – Watch & Bet Live NFL Streaming and Cash Out
- #1. DraftKings Sportsbook – Top Betting Lines and Cash Out Offers
Legal online sports betting is expanding across the US, with licensed and regulated online sportsbooks offering new betting options and features to attract new customers and keep current ones engaged. Naturally, this competition creates better offers and bigger promotions in the market, all of which benefit bettors. Cash out functions are also becoming more commonplace, and you can even find sportsbooks with partial cash out functions offered, like PointsBet.
It is vital players choose to use regulated and licensed sports betting sites.
Illegal betting sites will offer bets with the option to cash out, but you could be at risk of losing money as they are not licensed in the US.
Although most bettors may look for bonuses first, with a generous maximum bonus bet and some bet credits in return when they sign up, cash out is also crucial.
Below you will find our cash out guide, detailing how cash out works, the benefits of using it, how to use the cash out feature, and more. You will find the cash out option at most real money online gambling sites across the US, but we only recommend safe to use sites and trustworthy sites. We also look at which sites offer the best betting markets, bonuses, promotions, odds available, etc.
How Early Cash Out Works at Betting Sites
The best online sportsbooks feature intuitive live bet slips that reveal exactly how much money can be earned for each wager that has been placed. If an online sportsbook offers an early cash out option, it is usually found on this same live bet slip or active bets page.
Many of the top US betting sites provide this cash out option for pre-game, live, future, or parlay wagers. Sports bettors simply click the “Cash Out” button featured on their live bet slip page to claim their winnings or cut their losses before the bet has been settled. After clicking this button, the placed wager will be immediately settled and the funds earned will be instantly credited to the bettor’s account.
DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the most popular US sports betting platforms that offers an early cash out feature. Members of this site will find this cash out offer on the “My Bets” page. Click the yellow “Cash Out” button to immediately settle your bet and receive your funds.
- As an example, let’s assume a member of DraftKings Sportsbook has placed a $200 moneyline wager on an NFL team with odds of +135. A winning bet here would pay a total of $470. If that team has maintained a reasonable lead into the fourth quarter, DraftKings may offer an early cash out option of $400. Claiming this cash out option would guarantee a significant profit, yet still pays less than what would be earned if you wait for your bet to be settled naturally.
It’s important to note that this cash out feature is not available for every bet. It may also be limited to wagers on certain sporting events. Every online sportsbook sets its own rules related to early cash outs and it’s recommended to check whether this option is provided before placing any wagers.
Example of Sportsbook Cash Out Tool
Let’s say that the Seattle Seahawks are playing against the Los Angeles Rams. The odds on the Seahawks to win are +100, so by reading the plus sign in the American odds format, we can determine that they are the underdogs. You put a $10 on the Seahawks to cause an upset and beat the Rams.
For example, if you place a $10 bet at odds of +100 on an NFL game. You decide to get behind the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Los Angeles Rams. The total amount you could win in the traditional way from this bet would be $20, as you would get $10 in winnings and your original stake back. However, let’s look at a scenario where the Seahawks are up by 1TD with 5 minutes left on the clock. You are in a decent position to win the bet; however, you are slightly concerned that the Rams still have time to come back. You don’t want to risk losing too much money, so you choose to use the cash out feature.
| Bet | Stake | Odds | Full Potential Return | Cash Out Offer with 5 Minutes To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Seattle Seahawks to Win | $10 | +100 | $20 | $16 |
Now, with 5 minutes left on the clock, the Seahawks are up by 1 touchdown. If the score stays the same, you stand to win your bet, but the Rams only need to score one touchdown and convert one field kick to steal the win. As the game is going in your favour so far, you will have a generous cash out offer on the table. You are only losing out on $4 to win some peace of mind and cash out – and remember, if the Seahawks do lose the game, then you will not even get $16, but nothing at all.
If you cash out, you can lock that $16 firmly in the bank, and even start the proceedings to withdraw that money. Alternatively, you can cash out the $16 and then put it straight into another bet. Once that is done, you can sit back and enjoy the last 5 minutes without any of the pressure, and see what happens.
There will be times when your bet will come through anyway, in which case you missed out on that $4. But in other cases, you will have made the right decision. If the Rams did push through for a touchdown and leveled the score, your cash out offer will drop tremendously, possibly lower than the $10 you staked.
When is Early Cash Out Available?
Early cash out options can benefit both bettors and sportsbooks. Bettors are able to earn profits on wagers in which the outcome is far from certain. Online sportsbooks can cut their losses by paying less than what would be provided on a winning bet.
The specific time in which an early cash out becomes available varies depending on the sportsbook and specific bet placed. Sometimes, an early cash out can be claimed immediately after a sporting event has begun. Other times, this option becomes available after a significant portion of the sporting event has taken place. Online sportsbooks can also wait to offer sports bettors an early cash out until a wager has beaten the closing line by a large margin. Sportsbooks may even choose to completely remove the cash out option if the sporting event is closely contested.
Cash Out Betting Types
Online sportsbooks have the ability to offer an early cash out feature for a variety of bet types. As previously mentioned, that can include pre-game, live, future, or parlay wagers.
The vast majority of online sportsbooks provide a variety of wagering options including moneyline, totals, point spread, props, and futures bets. It’s generally possible to claim a cash out for each type of these wagers. Always check the terms and conditions of a sportsbook to learn exactly when an early cash out can be requested for each type of sports bet.
Partial cash out is one additional option occasionally offered, where players can cash out a portion of their bets and let the rest play out with readjusted odds.
How to Cash Out Your Bets
Cash outs are available on most sports betting sites via a desktop or mobile device. If you want to get yourself out of a bet, you can see the cash out offer on your live betting slip or any current bets that are showing on your account. For example, if you have placed several football bets, you will see your football betting slips’ cash out option.
If a sportsbook offers the cash out option, you can click the relevant button and choose to buy yourself out of the bet for the amount the sportsbook offers. When you have confirmed the cash out, the money will instantly appear in your account. For example, with the BetMGM Cash out feature, if your bet is eligible to end early, you will see the cash out button available.
Please be aware that cash out is not offered for every bet. Online sportsbooks have different rules and regulations for individual offers, such as cash outs, so you must check the rules on what is offered and how the feature works at the sportsbook you are betting with.
The steps to perform an online sportsbook early cash out are very simple. In fact, bettors can settle their bets early and receive their winnings with the single click of a button. The steps below explain exactly how to claim a cash out.
- Choose an online sportsbook that offers early cash outs – Many of the top US online sportsbooks including DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook provide this option.
- Make a bet – The option to claim an early cash out will become available at different times, depending on the type of bet placed.
- Wait for the sporting event you have wagered on to begin – Early cash outs are typically not available until a sporting event has begun. Parlays, however, can often be settled at any time once several of its legs have been won.
- Find and click the “Cash Out” button – This button will be clearly visible as soon as cash out becomes available. It is almost always found on your sportsbook’s live bet slip, or on the “My Bets” page.
- Instantly receive your funds – Once a cash out has been initiated, your bet will be settled and all winnings associated with the cash out will be credited to your account instantly, unless you opted for partial cash out.
Best Time To Use the Sportsbook Cash Out
The best time to claim an early cash out will depend on several factors, including how each individual bettor is feeling about their wager. Settling a bet early can help to guarantee winnings, yet also results in bettors being paid less than they would have by letting the bet fully play out. There are, however, some specific times in which choosing to cash out winnings makes the most sense.
Waiting for a Lucrative Cash Out Deal
Many experts recommend choosing a cash out if a sportsbook is offering close to what would be paid out by waiting until a bet is settled naturally. Sport betting is notoriously unpredictable and even if a winning bet looks all but guaranteed, things can change in an instant. Taking winnings close to what would be paid with a winning bet ensures you a large profit.
If the Momentum Begins to Shift
It can also be a smart decision to choose an early cash out if the momentum of the sporting event you have wagered on begins to shift in a negative way. For example, if the team you have wagered on is ahead on points, yet that winning gap quickly begins to shrink, it’s often a smart call to take your profits before your bet is lost completely.
Claiming Winnings on Parlays
Claiming early cash outs on winning parlays is perhaps the most popular time to utilize this online sportsbook feature. An entire parlay is lost as soon as one leg of it is lost. These are extremely risky types of wagers and many bettors miss out on huge profits by attempting to win the final leg of a parlay, rather than taking a cash out. Legal online sports betting sites tend to offer very lucrative payouts for cash outs on winning parlays that are close to being settled.
Is Cash Out a Good Betting Strategy?
Sports betting cash out has a considerable element of give and take between the bettor and the sportsbook. When you decide you want to cash out a winning bet for a profit. The profit will naturally be less than the maximum amount you would win if you let the bet play out. Essentially, the bettor is giving the sportsbook some return, while the take is that the bettor is also reducing their risk and winning some money no matter what. Cash out can also be a viable alternative if you need to cancel a misplaced bet before a game begins and the sportsbook doesn’t let you.
An early cash out can be a great, or poor betting strategy depending on the circumstances. There are several instances when this option certainly makes sense. Of course, cashing out early means earning less profits on what could possibly be a winning wager.
In general, it’s best to avoid this option when betting on sports online. Sports betting is always risky and bettors should always take that risk into account before placing any wagers. Many hardcore bettors recommend skipping early cash outs, as they remove the chance of earning the most profit on wagers and, if done consistently, will significantly limit winnings.
Online sportsbooks are not in the business of giving away money for no reason. These betting platforms only offer early cash outs when it makes sense to them. Take that into account and understand that the amount of money you are claiming with a cash out could be far less than you would have earned otherwise.
Reasons You Might be Unable to Cash Out
There may be several reasons why an online sportsbook will prevent you from claiming an early cash out. The most obvious reason, of course, is if the online sportsbook you have joined does not offer this feature. Below is a list of some other common scenarios in which a cash out may be unavailable.
- If the score of a sporting event is extremely close, online sportsbooks may choose to withhold early payout options.
- Cashing out on a suspended game is generally not available.
- As games are close to ending, online sportsbooks often remove the option to claim an early cash out.
- Any wagers placed using a bonus bet offer may be ineligible to claim a cash out.
- Early cash outs are not available on events that an online sportsbook does not offer in-play wagering on.
Why Do Sportsbooks Offer Cash Out?
There are benefits to both sportsbooks and the bettor when it comes to using cash out. The obvious advantage to the bettor is that they can guarantee themselves a profit or cut down on losses, and this also applies to the sportsbook. If a sportsbook offers you the chance to cash out on a bet that is winning, it won’t be for the total amount, so this saves the sportsbook money if a bettor accepts their cash out offer. If the bet is losing and the bettor decides to cash out, the sportsbook guarantees their own win while also keeping the bettor engaged and not turning them off.
The major US betting sites such as DraftKings sportsbook, typically offer fantastic odds on futures bets. So, if at the beginning of the NFL season you bet on a team to win the Super Bowl, and they reach the playoffs with a fantastic record, you can use the DraftKings sportsbook cash out to lock in a nice profit.
Now, this may not be for the total amount of the initial bet; however, things can completely change in the playoffs, and even though the team you bet on looks strong, they could easily lose in the first round of the playoffs, and the bettor wins nothing. Sports betting sites frequently offer incentives like these to keep bettors active and get them playing.
Any sports betting site that wants to attract customers will offer this feature as a betting option on their desktop and sports betting app. If a sports bettor is choosing between numerous online sports betting sites, the sportsbook app offering an efficient auto cash out service will have more chance of attracting new custom.
Pros & Cons of Using Cash Out
The cash out feature instantly became very popular with bettors when it was introduced. Many sports betting sites realized they had to launch a version of cash out as players were using it as part of their betting strategy.
Pros
Luck becomes less of a factor: Of course, luck plays a huge role in sports betting. You can think you have done all of your preparation and research before placing your wager, only to see an injury completely derail your plans. Cash out gives you more flexibility and control over variance as you can lock in some profits and reduce your losses.
Simple to use: Using the cash out feature is straightforward, so you don’t need to use any extra time to ensure you are using it correctly.
Can use cash out to score large profits: If your strategy includes using multiple bets and targeting high odds, using cash out can be very helpful. You can avoid the pain of losing a 10 leg parlay by utilizing cash out.
Cons
Lower value: When offering cash out, an operator is essentially ‘buying’ out your bet at a discounted price. If the bookie feels the the wager is worth $10, they might offer $9.50, so the cash out feature is like selling them your bet for less than face value.
Lower profits: Whenever you use the cash out option, you will naturally get less money than you would if you just let the bet play out.
Not included in promos: Every online sportsbook site offers welcome bonuses and promotions. Most of the terms and conditions associated with these bonuses exclude cash out. Make sure you check the wagering requirements on bonuses on betting apps with cash out.
How is Cash Out Calculated?
A ‘cash out calculator’ works based on odds offered on any sports bet. The book will come up with a value based on different factors and provide this price for the customer. With a cash out offer, the final price is what the betting sites decide is the wager’s current value.
As in-game betting continues to grow in the licensed US betting market, sportsbooks are becoming more efficient with the live sports odds they offer. Furthermore, sports betting platforms are also getting more proficient in the prices they offer for cash outs.
With standard betting types such as Point Spread and Moneyline bets, determining a bet’s value is straightforward. However, with other kinds of bets such as Futures, prop bets and Parlays, things can get a little more complicated. Future bets have a long time to run before they get settled, and plenty of things can change in that time. Parlays have numerous legs, so if there are several legs of the bet still to go, it becomes difficult for the bettor to decide if they should cash out or not.
Ultimately, a cash out bet is decided by real-time odds and removing the risk based on the original wager amount.
Can You Go Back on a Cash Out Offer?
Any cash out offered by betting sites is final. Once you have accepted cash out, the bet is settled at the current confirmed price. If you feel you have gone too early, you cannot go back to the book and claim the initial wager’s maximum amount. This highlights the whole risk/reward element of cash out if it is available. The odds constantly change, so it is about maximizing the value at the right time.
What Does Cash Out Suspended Mean?
If you want to cash out but are seeing a message stating the betting option has been suspended, it means an incident has occurred during the event you have bet on. This could be a goal or a free kick in a soccer game, or a touchdown in an NFL match. As the seconds following those events can drastically turn the tide in a game, the live betting markets and the cash out function will be suspended for a short time.
The cash out will go live again once the pivotal piece of action is finished, and the offer will adjust in relation to what happened.
For example, let’s say a penalty is awarded in a soccer game. The score is 1-0 and there is 10 minutes left to play. The team that is behind has the penalty and with it the perfect chance to bring the scores level. If you have a bet riding on the game, then the cash out offer will be taken off the table at that moment. If the team scores, then the teams will be level, and with 10 minutes left to go the end will be a scramble. However, should they miss, then you can expect the cash out offer you had before the penalty to be brought back.