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Rugby Betting Sites

Rugby Betting Sites

Author: Steven D. Thompson

Updated: 14/03/2025 11:30 AM

Rugby may not be as popular as football, but the same can't be said about rugby betting sites. If you're looking for the best among them, you're at the right place. In this guide to rugby betting, we'll bring the most popular Union and League betting sites and markets in one spot. That includes a list of the best rugby league betting sites right below, and an overview of their features, bonuses, and rugby union betting markets.

How We Rank and Evaluate the Best Rugby Betting Sites

If you're a fan or rugby betting, the most important thing is to choose the right site. Not all rugby betting sites are equal. There are plenty of important factors to consider when choosing a site. It's not just competitive rugby odds and a variety of rugby markets. Other important factors including license and security, the welcome bonus token, other promotions, and of course, the variety of payment methods.

All of this factors combined can make for a unique rugby betting experience you should strive for. There's no penalty for browsing different rugby betting apps and markets. You're free to browse the best among them on our list and make a decision. Below you can read about the most important factors our team considers when reviewing the top football markets.

License and Security

Welcome Offer

Promotions & Free Bets

Odds & Betting Markets

Payment Methods

Features

It all starts with the license. The best betting sites in New Zealand are all licensed by proper governing bodies including the likes of MGA, UKGC, and other jurisdictions. That's the case with the rugby betting sites on our list. You should always place rugby bets at licensed betting platforms. If you can't confirm the validity of the license, you shouldn't even register.

Rugby fans should join only top bookies with a proper license and security measures. You can check the license number yourself - it's usually on the bottom of the website. If the number can't be validated online, then you may be looking at a scam site. Besides the license, you should also look for proper security measures. Most bookies offer SSL encryption, which is more than enough to keep the data you enter at the website in check.

Golf Betting Site	Features
Greatwin	Live Betting, Streaming, VIP Programme
Weltbet	Live Betting, Bet Builder, Cashout
Slots Palace	Live Streaming, Live Betting, Bet Builder
20Bet	Betting App, Live Betting, Live Streaming
Betiton	Live Betting, Live Streaming, Cashout

Table of Contents

Key Facts & Stats about Betting on Rugby

Betting on rugby might not get the same attention as any football market. But, it is especially popular in countries which are crazy about it, for example Oceania. Rugby is a major sport in Australia and New Zealand, for example, where betting on Super Rugby Aotearoa is quite common. Other international competitions make it a hit in England and France too. You can expect to have plenty of chances to bet on your favourite team at betting sites licensed in these countries.

As expected, rugby betting gets the biggest attention at New Zealand and Australian sites. It's a popular pastime in England too, and any country that makes an appearance in the Super League. In play betting seems to be an emerging market, although betting on domestic leagues is certainly a champ. When major tournaments such as the rugby world cup arrive, outright betting becomes quite a popular option.

Why Bet on Rugby?

Even with the increase in popularity, rugby very much remains a niche betting market. Which isn't that bad of a thing. The minimum odds compared to football matches are much better. You'll find much better value for certain rugby betting markets, including points spread markets. Rugby betting can be divided into rugby union betting and rugby league betting. This is something other sports don't offer, in that way offering a much more dynamic experience.

Rugby fans can expect a lot of action when a major competition comes up. It's safe to say that rugby betting is an emerging market at online sports. With the min odds greater than similar matches in other sports, it's a market you should definitely explore.

Best Rugby Betting Sites by Category

If you're looking for the best NZ rugby betting sites per category, we have a list for you below. We've organized the full list of categories such as best rugby sportsbooks for live betting, the top rugby bookies with free bet stakes, or bookies with live streams.

Category	Golf Betting Site
Best Rugby Sportsbook With the Greatest Odds	Betiton
Highest Welcome Bonus Rugby Sportsbook	Greatwin
Most Secure Rugby Betting Site	20Bet
Rugby Betting Site with User Friendly Layout	Weltbet
Rugby Betting Site with Enticing VIP perks	Slots Palace

Online Betting vs. Brick & Mortar Betting on Rugby

Online betting is the real deal when it comes to betting on sports nowadays. There are lots of reasons why you should pick online vs. land-based rugby bets. Let’s look at them in detail.

Online Betting on Rugby
More markets available
Offers better odds
Easy to place bets from home or on the go using a browser
Frequent free bets, promotions, and boosts for specific matches
Possible to stream rugby league or rugby union matches depending on the operator

Brick & Mortar Betting on Rugby
Limited markets compared to online
Odds not as competitive as online
Less appealing due to inaccessibility to evreyone
Limited or no promotions and bonuses
No streaming services available

Most Popular Rugby Betting Markets

Nowadays, you can bet on hundreds of rugby betting markets. There are more markets than ever in both fixed odds and live betting categories. Your first cash bet can be placed on match winners, outright winner, handicaps, or point spreads. While many of those markets were already available at betting shops before, some - live in play betting - are completely new. Let's not forget prop bets which offer a more entertaining way to bet on the sport. But, out of all the available markets, we've picked the most popular ones below that you'll find at most top-rated rugby sportsbooks.

Step 1

Match Betting

Match betting - or predicting who wins the match - is the most popular sports betting market for any sport, including rugby. It's similar to 1x2 betting except you don't get to bet on a tie. In this case, you're only choosing the winner of the match. It can be the home team or the away team. You put your money on the specified odds for any team and wait for the match to finish to see if you're won. Consider match winner betting the default type of bet you'll see at rugby sports betting sites. The odds vary from one site to another, but there are rarely big differences. If it's a game between mismatched teams, you can easily spot who's the favorite and who's the underdog.

Step 2

Outrights

Outright betting on rugby is quite popular when major competitions such as the world cup come into play. Compared to match betting, this time you're predicting who goes all the way and wins the tournament. It's not necessarily the world cup. It can be any league or competition where the bookie offers odds on who lifts the trophy. The earlier you place a qualifying bet in this market, the better. The odds are much higher as soon as they go live instead of the odds you get later as the tournament progresses. It's a high risk/high reward type of betting market that can be lucrative if you do your research well.

Step 3

Live Betting

Live betting has become the favorite way to bet for modern rugby bettors. It offers markets on live matches, which means you have to act fast. That's easy when you do it online, especially at sportsbooks that have live streaming so you can watch the action while you bet on it. There are so many great live betting markets when it comes to rugby. It's not just match winners, but special markets such as next point, touchdown, or prop bets you won't get any other way. If there's live streaming included too, you'll have a much easier time to make more accurate predictions.

Step 4

Handicap Betting

Handicap bets -often known as point spreads - are a way sportsbooks bridge the gap between to unevenly matched teams. With these bet, the favorite has to win by a certain number of points set by the bookie. In the case of an underdog, it must not lose by a certain number of points. Handicaps are often nicely priced and offer a great chance for a win bet if you usually follow the scoring averages for each team.

Dos and Don'ts of Betting on Rugby

When it comes to betting on rugby, it's crucial to approach it with a strategic and informed mindset. Below is a simple two-column table outlining some essential dos and don'ts. These tips aim to help you make smarter betting decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Dos	Don’ts
Always bet at license sportsbooks	Don't fall for scam betting sites
Use free bets to your advantage	Avoid betting high stakes
Bet responsibly and keep your budget in check	Don't forget to set limits for yourself
Explore betting markets	Never bet on your favorite team only
Shop for odds at different bookies	Don't settle for the first bookie

Best Tips for Rugby Betting for 2024 Season

Rugby is an exciting sport to bet on. The mechanics of the game and the different types of markets make it a unique entry into the world of sports betting. More often than not, you can find better odds on rugby markets compared to football or any other sport. Of course, it would be wise to follow some tips, like you'd follow for any other sport if you're serious about betting.

We have a few of those below. You can follow them to learn how to become a master rugby bettor online and cut some of your losses.

Rugby Betting Tip	Example
Shop for odds and bookies	Register at multiple rugby betting sites to take advantage of diverse odds, markets, and bonuses.
Check the international calendar	Pay attention to players' fitness and availability due to international matches, as this can impact the outcome of games.
Look for tips and recommendations online	Read expert analyses and tips, including those from former rugby stars or coaches, to make more informed betting decisions.
Do your research	Examine the international schedule, team performance, and key players' fitness to gauge the best betting options.
Use bonuses to your advantage	Understand the terms and conditions of bonuses and promotions, utilizing them responsibly in your betting strategy.
Set a budget and stick to it	For instance, if you allocate NZ$50 for weekend betting, ensure you adhere to this limit without chasing losses.
Look for events with enhanced odds	Seek out sportsbooks offering enhanced odds on specific events for the chance of larger payouts.

Best Rugby Bookmakers by Betting Offers

With so many rugby bets offers to claim, we've categorizes the best betting sites for this sport by betting offers. You can browse them all by a different bonus credited to your account, including free bets, deposit bonuses, no deposit bonus token, and other deals and offers.

Rugby Betting Site	Welcome Bonus
FezBet	50% up to NZ$1,000
Greatwin	50% up to NZ$1,000
Weltbet	100% up to €200 (or the NZD equivalent)
Slots Palace	100% up to NZ$200
20Bet	100% up to NZ$150

How to Claim a Bonus/Free Bet for Rugby Betting

Claiming a bonus or free bet for rugby betting should be fairly easy. The top rugby betting sites usually have explanatory and detailed guides which will walk you through the process. From the qualifying bet to the bet credits stake and everything in between, the guides are easy to understand.

When claiming a welcome bonus or a free bet you will need to register and typically make a deposit. Debit card deposits might be excluded from this offer. The best rugby betting sites will issue your bonus right away after which you'll be ready to spend it on your favourite team or any eligible market.

Conclusion

As an emerging betting market on the Internet, rugby betting gets more and more love. And rightfully so. The markets are engaging enough to keep players excited, and they come with better odds than some football betting markets. Rugby fans are also treated to a variety of bonuses and promotions, some of which are too good to miss.

If you're in the market for a new rugby sportsbook, you're at the right place. Our guide has it all covered, from the methodology we use behind reviews, to the top sports betting sites on the web. Gran a free bet when you sign up at most bookies and enjoy rugby online betting to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to look for in a rugby betting site?

A good rugby sportsbook in New Zealand will be licensed by leading governing bodies. It should be highly valued by rugby fans and bettors alike, with a good selection of markets, valuable odds, and bonuses and promotions.

Is betting on rugby online legal?

Yes, it is. Online sports betting is legal in New Zealand. As long as a sportsbook has a proper license, it can operate legally on the market. You can find the best legal rugby betting websites on this page.

Can I bet on other sports at the same site?

Yes, you can. Most betting sites have dozens of sports to bet on, and rugby is one of them. You can bet on everything from football and basketball to Esports and beyond whenever you want to shake things up.

Can I join multiple betting sites for rugby?

Yes, you can. There's no law that prevents you from joining several rugby betting sites. It's a great way to benefit from various free bet offers and promotions and the best rugby betting odds for your favourite team or competition.

What are most popular bet types for rugby betting?

The most popular types are match winners, outrights, and handicap betting. You should do your research before placing rugby bets and remember to bet responsibly.

Is there live betting on rugby?

Yes, and in play betting on rugby is quite popular among fans. It offers a unique way to bet on rugby union and league matches, with individual and team bets you won't get on fixed odds markets.