Best Rugby Betting Sites in the UK for 2024
Compare the best Rugby betting sites in the UK. Our experts have reviewed over 30 different bookies to pick out the top 10 for rugby league and rugby union betting.
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Best Bookies for Betting on Rugby (Rated and Reviewed)
Here is a list of some of our favourite online sports bookies that we have come across while combing through legal sites that offer rugby betting:
- 1BetVictor:
Best UK rugby betting site for 2024.
- 2Betfred:
Best for rugby free bets.
- 3Betway:
Best for rugby free bets.
- 4bet365:
Best for rugby betting bonuses and live streams.
- 5LeoVegas:
Best for mobile rugby betting in the UK.
#1 Best Rugby Betting Site - BetVictor
BetVictor stands apart from the rest of the top rugby betting sites in the uK for a few reasons.
One of these is that testing consistently shows BetVictor's rugby odds - for both rugby union and rugby league - are among the best around, ensuring that customers get top value.
Rugby-betting bonuses such as bet boosts and enhanced trebles are often offered on the BetVictor site as well.
Ante-post markets include the chance to bet on the winner of the Super League Grand Final well in advance of the competition coming to a close, while individual matches from both codes are covered from around the world as well.
Live rugby union and live rugby league betting are both provided at BetVictor, which has a great user interface as well.
At BetVictor, one of the unusual features is the chance to take a lucky dip bet. UK punters who want to take advantage of this can simply tap or click on the lucky dip button for matches in competitions like the Super League and get a random bet added to their betslip.
Matches involving England are naturally among the most popular for sports fans to bet on. Browsing the BetVictor rugby union betting markets gives users a chance to pick from dozens of potential bets for each match, with options including the first try scorer in the match and a range of handicaps.
Data such as the head-to-head record of the two teams involved in a rugby match has also been provided to customers on the BetVictor site.
All in all, BetVictor clearly deserves to be named the best rugby betting site in the UK, with free bets able to be earned by taking part in the BetVictor Loyalty Club special VIP promotion too.
Pros
- The trending section shows popular rugby bets being chosen.
- Lucky dip is a good option for those unsure what to go for.
- High odds for both rugby union and rugby league.
- Strong mobile betting apps for both Android and iOS.
- Lots of markets for each rugby union or league match.
Cons
- More rugby-specific betting bonuses could be offered.
Bet £10 and Get £20 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £20 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
#2 Best Rugby Betting Site - Betfred
UK-based bookie Betfred is an established betting site dating back to the 60s, starting as a single betting shop in Salford.
The bookie is an ardent supporter of rugby league and even sponsors the Super League, which is currently called the Betfred Super League. Unsurprisingly, the platform is the first to start rolling out Super League betting markets months ahead of the competition.
Betfred offers great rugby league coverage for domestic markets, and the international markets are also significantly represented. Moreover, bettors can further diversify the markets with Betfred's "Pick Your Punt" feature.
The bookie has a decent welcome bonus for new customers and occasionally issues exclusive promotions for rugby betting. You also get a comprehensive list of payment methods, including several eWallets and debit cards.
Other exciting Betfred features include: in-play betting, total/partial cash out, daily price boosts, live streaming, mobile app and excellent customer support — 24/7 live chat, dedicated line, and email.
Betfred backs up its position on this list with daily price boosts and a great variety of Rugby Union betting markets for punters to choose from.
Besides, their Double Delight promotion feature doubles the odds of your bet when you wager on a player to score the first try, and you win.
Betfred also offers decent odds and higher payout limits of up to 100k. Unfortunately, there is no live union streaming, but punters can still enjoy the thrill of in-play betting on their favourite Rugby Union matches.
Pros
- The Super League Double Delight promotion is great!
- #PickYourPunt for custom rugby bets.
- High-value welcome bonus.
- Some free rugby streams.
Cons
- Bit more focus on league over union.
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £50 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 Days |
| Bonus code | BETFRED50 |
#3 Best Rugby Betting Site - Betway
Betway might have a relatively basic and stripped-back user interface and site design, but it is easy for rugby fans to navigate.
A straightforward menu system makes switching between rugby union and rugby league a cinch, and there are many markets provided for both sports.
Rugby fans will also be happy to see how many different betting options are available for each match. A high-profile rugby union match, such as a clash between the All Blacks and the England side, would have dozens of options, including a range of winning margin bets.
At Betway, punters can also browse many live rugby betting markets, though the interface does not provide as much information on the ongoing action as other sites.
The cash-out feature can be used on rugby bets at Betway, giving its customers a chance to lock in some guaranteed profit if their bets on the site are on track to come in.
With ante-post betting markets offered well in advance - it is possible to place a bet on the winner of the next Rugby World Cup even though it is a couple of years away - there is a lot of choice to pick from here.
Pros
- Deep range of markets available for both codes.
- Easy to navigate around the Betway sportsbook.
- A reliable brand that operates in many countries.
Cons
- No rugby data or statistics are available to browse.
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| Min. Deposit | £10 |
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#4 Best Rugby Betting Site - Bet365
The self-proclaimed world's biggest betting site is a good choice for rugby fans in the UK who want to bet on both rugby and union. Bet365 offers a massive range of markets for both codes, with a huge number of ante-post options to pick from, as well as live rugby betting.
Betting bonuses are widely available at Bet365, with punters able to take full advantage of them. Bet boosts are often put up to increase the price of a wager further - and Bet365 already has some of the highest rugby union and rugby league odds in the business - and rugby bets qualify for the multi-sport acca boosts on the site, too.
Additionally, the Bet Builder+ tool at Bet365 gives its users a chance to add selections from different rugby matches into the same wager. The user interface at Bet365 is also one of the best around and its mobile betting apps are top notch too.
Bet365's rugby betting coverage has few gaps, and the site is therefore highly recommended.
Its mobile interface has an archaic look about it but bet365 has done remarkably well in trying to emulate the footprints of other United Kingdom giants, such as Paddy Power and William Hill.
Pros
- Vast choice of markets and matches to bet on.
- Globally recognised online sports betting brand.
- Excellent value odds for both rugby union and rugby league.
- Plenty of rugby betting bonuses are offered here.
- Some live streaming is available at Bet365.
Cons
- Not as many payment methods as rival rugby betting sites.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £5 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 30 days |
#5 Best Rugby Betting Site - LeoVegas
Most people may think of LeoVegas as primarily an online casino site, but it has a growing sports betting section that covers both rugby union and rugby league to a high degree.
One of the best things about using LeoVegas as a rugby betting site is that it shows the most popular events at the top of the page by default, rather than having a match few people will care about in a prominent position just because it starts sooner than a high-profile international does.
LeoVegas has NRL, Super League and State of Origin betting markets available to browse on the rugby league side, with union fans able to pick from options like the Currie Cup.
But it is rugby union internationals that capture the attention at LeoVegas, which provides markets such as handicaps and the chance to back a team to be first to score a certain number of points.
A key benefit of using LeoVegas over other top rugby betting sites in the UK is the fast pace of withdrawals. Winning wagers are paid out rapidly and it does not take long at all to process a withdrawal, so customers of LeoVegas will quickly get their hands on their cash.
With LeoVegas also having a huge number of casino games to pick from, signing up for an account here is opening up a whole world of entertainment for UK-based rugby fans.
Pros
- Great mobile betting apps for rugby fans.
- Excellent casino attached at LeoVegas.
- Rapid withdrawals for winning rugby bets.
Cons
- The focus is largely on the online casino at LeoVegas.
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| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £100 |
| Turnover | 0x |
| Expiration | 7 Days |
The Different Rugby Betting Markets
Here are some examples of rugby betting markets you are likely to encounter when scouring online sportsbooks:
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Outright Betting
This is a beginner’s delight. Simply select who’ll lift the silverware at the end of a tournament/championship. For example, who will claim the NRL minor premiership title (Giltinan Trophy for the top-of-the-table finish before playoffs), and will the same outfit go on to etch its name on the Provan-Summons Trophy?
Such outright wagers on which team is likely to claim the season-ending competition titles fall in this category.
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Building Bet Bundles
Some sportsbooks provide bet-building modules that combine several aspects of a game or different games into a mix-and-match bundle.
Our advice is, especially to the rookie bettors, to be wary of a spike in risks, owing to keeping tabs on numerous elements. Factor in longer odds and life becomes complicated. Bookies always come up with novel ways to keep players interested.
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Extra-Time Betting
Stalemates in rugby are a rarity. That’s why sportsbooks offer fantastic odds for those who are brave enough to predict what the outcome is likely to be should the game go past the 80-minute full-time hooter. Teams tend to have dropped-kick specialists who rehearse for this one-point margin.
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Futures Market Betting
This tends to entail end-of-season — often excluding the grand final playoffs phase — predictors. Which players will walk away with medals, top try scorer bragging rights, and most line-breaking runs or highest tackle count, to name a few.
Note that includes bookmakers offering odds on the Dally M Medal (NRL), Lance Todd Trophy (Carnegie Challenge Cup), Steve Prescott Man of Steel (English Super League), and the Wally Lewis Medal (NRL). If you bet early in the season, keep a tab on the odds of an individual contender because it can mutate after each round.
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Handicap Betting
Nothing encapsulates rugby league wagering better than the gargantuan odds of the favourites thumping the underdogs.
This also is known as line or point-spread betting. The head-to-head odds are spread out. Akin to golf handicapping, bookies offer the underdogs a points buffer of beating or losing by a narrow margin.
For example, if the Penrith Panthers are a 10.5 favourites to beat the Warriors and you place a handicap bet on the latter, then should the Kiwi franchise win or lose under the 10.5-point margin, you’ll come away richer.
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Individual Player Betting
Players who find straightforward wagering boring will welcome the variety of individual betting offers.
Who will score the opening points of a match? That can come from a kick between the sticks or a try, although it’ll be interesting to see what a bookie makes of a referee awarding a penalty try.
What about the first-try scorer? Wingers and halfbacks will have shorter odds over burly props and hookers. Even picking a yellow (10-minute sin bin) or red card (early shower) recipient is fair game. Know which players lack discipline.
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Margin Betting
This is a beginner’s delight. Simply select which team will win by opting for 1-12 or 13+ gulf at the final whistle of a match. Some sportsbooks allow for picking teams that’ll make the playoffs.
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Over/Under Betting
Also known as “totals betting”, this has the appeal of outright betting. The over/under betting dumbs it down to a simple equation of how many points both teams will register at the final whistle.
If the bookie opens betting on a 30.5 threshold, you can opt for exceeding that ceiling or staying below it to collect wins. Selecting a fraction can ward off rival gamblers wanting a slice of the winnings. Some bookmakers also offer odds on the total number of tries scored in a match.
Rugby Betting Tips & Strategies
When it comes to gambling, we want to impress bettors that knowledge is the key that unlocks the secret to wagering. It isn’t some hard-and-fast formula to become rich. Online sports betting is, after all about risk and reward.
Those who have their finger on the pulse of rugby won’t have to feel their way around a dark room to find the light switch. In our tips and strategies, we recommend going through information and statistics with a fine toothcomb. Bookmakers will do that.
Here are some key pointers:
- Climate: Does the heavy, underfoot conditions at Mt Smart Stadium favour the Warriors more than the Brisbane Broncos? Research conditions.
- Head rules, not heart: No matter how much you like the Warriors or your hometown players, study the bookies’ odds and the sides’ head-to-head record.
- Historical factors: Favourites tend to have a psychological advantage over the underdogs on account of titles won. Bookies disclose such details. The Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm have the wood, respectively, in the NRL. The Leeds Rhinos have that tag in the Super League.
- Lineups: It pays to check if the key players are available or out due to injury or some other reason. An inexperienced injection or a rookie/replacement coach can also upset the rhythm of a dominant team.
- Tactics: Some teams spread the ball out wide to rely on their pivotal players to kick them into a front-foot position before resorting to gang tackles. Others bank on their burly forwards to grind down the opposition with mounting back-to-back, five-count tackles. What teams have the art of dragging referees into their corner during battle?
- Wagering mark: Determine what your betting limit is and stick to it, especially if you’re combining bets or engaging in in-play.
FAQs
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Steven is responsible for all content on BettingGuide UK. He is an experienced iGaming content writer working in the industry since 2018. If you have any questions regarding online gambling in the UK, don't hesitate to contact him.
