When listing popular sports in the UK, rugby comes in as a very close second to football.
Both rugby union and rugby league have huge fanbases, and events like The Six Nations and the World Cup are among the most popular sporting championships in the world.
If you’re looking for information on how to bet on rugby, then you’ve come to the right spot. In this rugby betting sites guide, I take a look at the best places to bet on rugby, the most popular markets, and more.
Top rugby betting sites
Top 5 UK rugby bookmakers compared
Almost all major bookmakers in the UK will offer rugby betting options, but not all bookies are created equal. Below, I list my picks for the five best UK rugby bookmakers.
Top choice – BetVictor
BetVictor is my top choice for rugby betting in the UK. The popular site offers a big selection of markets for rugby union and rugby league, covering all major competitions, and I have always been able to find the markets I have been looking for.
It is also one of the most competitive sites for odds, often having them up earlier than its competitors and regularly featuring price boosts and other types of odds-based promotions.
As well as the major competitions, you will also find odds for popular international leagues and competitions.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| In-depth markets for rugby league and rugby union |
| Early odds |
| Good selection of promotions, especially during international tournaments |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Some website user issues |
Runner-up – bet365
bet365 is one of the most popular sports betting sites in the UK for a reason, and also one of my absolute favourites.
You can always rely on bet365 to deliver a strong selection of markets, and it does that for both rugby union and rugby league, though the former definitely has more to offer.
Where bet365 scores highly is with its range of bonuses and promotions. The bookie tends to have regular promotions during the big tournaments, especially for The Six Nations and World Cup.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Excellent selection of promotions during the big tournaments |
| Offers odds on both rugby union and rugby league |
| Plenty of diverse markets are available, especially for rugby union |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Odds are not as strong as some of its competitors |
Spreadex
Spreadex is one of the unique bookies when it comes to rugby betting in that it offers both standard fixed-odds bets and spread betting.
As well as this, it tends to offer some of the most competitive odds on the market and is often ahead of competitors when it comes to releasing odds, especially for big tournaments like the Six Nations.
Its selection of bonuses does not tend to be as strong as its competitors, but it scores highly in other areas.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Excellent odds for both rugby league and union |
| Spread betting options available |
| User-friendly website |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Limited bonuses compared to competitors |
Unibet
Unibet is another top UK bookmaker with a range of rugby league and rugby union markets.
The rugby union catalogue is stacked with interesting odds and markets, with the site running regular price boosts and promotions on big matches and tournaments.
While the rugby league offering is not quite as strong, it makes up for this with a good range of bonuses, a really user-friendly betting experience, and one of the best betting apps on the market.
| 👍 Pros |
|---|
| Great range of rugby union betting markets |
| Strong betting markets |
| Excellent mobile application |
| 👎 Cons |
|---|
| Limited streaming options |
| Fewer rugby league markets |
How popular is rugby betting in the UK?
Rugby betting is very popular in the UK. The sport is one of the most popular in the country, with rugby union coming in second in terms of match attendance to football.
Rugby league is less popular than union, but it still attracts big crowds and is regularly bet on.
What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
‘Union or league?’ is a question commonly heard in rugby circles. While there are a lot of similarities between the two variations, there are some key differences.
The most obvious difference is the number of players. Rugby union has 15 players, while league has 13. In Rugby League, it is possible to make 10 substitutions, while union only allows eight.
The other major difference between the two is in scoring. While players can still score points in the same way, the number of points is different.
A try in union scores five points, while it is only worth four in league. A drop goal is worth one point in league, and a penalty is two, whereas in union they are both worth three.
From a betting perspective, though, the two are fairly similar, and you will find the same kinds of markets for both.
Match betting
Match betting is the most popular type of betting in both rugby league and rugby union. This is a simple bet on the outcome of a match. You will see this referred to as three-way betting, with you betting on either a win, loss or draw for a team.
Outrights
Outright betting markets are when you bet on a tournament or league winner. These are especially common during events like the Six Nations and the World Cup.
Tryscorer markets
Tryscorer markets allow you to bet on what player you believe will score a try. You will find three different markets in the tryscorer section – first, anytime, and last.
Handicap bets
In a handicap bet, one team is assigned a hypothetical score advantage or disadvantage. For example, if you bet on England to beat Wales with a -6 advantage, they would need to win by more than six points for your bet to be successful.
Over/under markets
Over/under markets are popular in all sports and rugby is no different. In rugby, you can bet on over/under markets for the score, the number of tries, an individual player’s points total, and more. Generally, the bigger the event, the more markets you will find.
Not sure which rugby market is the most profitable? Compare the payouts using our bet calculator!
What is live rugby betting?
Live rugby betting involves placing bets on a rugby match in play. All of the bookmakers we have listed here offer players the option for live betting in rugby. Live betting gives punters the chance to react to what is happening in real time and place their bets accordingly.
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What are the biggest rugby tournaments to bet on?
There are several major tournaments and leagues that take place throughout the year. The following are the most popular rugby tournaments to bet on in the UK:
The Six Nations
The Six Nations is held annually between February and April, with matches being held in the home stadiums of the six nations – England, Italy, France, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
The Rugby World Cup
The World Cup is held in a different location every four years. The 2023 edition was held in France. The tournament is held between September and October.
Premiership Rugby
Premiership Rugby is the top flight of rugby union in the UK. The season takes place between September and June. There are 11 teams in the league, with weekly matches being played.
Super League
The Super League is the top division of rugby league in the UK. The season starts in February and ends in October. There are 12 teams in the league, including one team from France.
How do you place a bet on rugby?
Betting on rugby is simple. All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Head over to your chosen bookmaker’s website.
- If you are new to the site, make sure you take advantage of any welcome bonuses they might have available (e.g., a free bets no-deposit bonus).
- Once you have signed up/logged in, head over to the rugby union or rugby league page.
- Search through the markets to find the bet you are looking to place. Once you have found it, make your selection and add it to your betting slip.
- Go to your betting slip and enter your stake.
- Confirm your bet, cross your fingers, and enjoy the rugby.
Which is the best bookie for rugby betting?
The answer to this question is going to come down to personal preference. Each of the bookies we have listed offers something different from a betting perspective. Overall, we believe BetVictor is the best rugby betting site in the UK. This is because of its big range of markets, competitive odds, and selection of bonuses. Other bookies may score higher in terms of individual factors, for example, Spreadex typically offers the best odds, and bet365 has great promotions, but BetVictor is the most consistent across the board.
Which bookies offer live streaming for rugby?
Most of the sites we have listed offer live streams for players, though the number of streams available will likely vary between bookies. bet365 is among the best operators for live streams, while sites like Spreadex are a little more limited. The requirements for watching streams also alter between sites, with some requiring you to place a bet on an event to watch, while others only require you to have money in your account.
What is the best rugby betting strategy?
The best way to maximise your rugby betting experience is to diversify the bookmakers you use. Each of the bookmakers we have listed has its pros and cons, and by using a selection of bookies, you can be sure to capitalise on the pros of each. This will also give you access to a wider range of rugby bonuses and promotions.
What is a 3-way bet in rugby?
A 3-way bet in rugby is the most common type of bet to place. It is a bet on the outcome of an event, with the 3-ways referred to being the three potential outcomes – a win, loss or draw, for one team or the other.
Who is the best rugby team in the world?
There are plenty of arguments to be made about who is the best rugby team in the world. The rugby world rankings place Ireland at the top of their list, and they were one of the favourites for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. France are a close second, and the hosts will fancy their chances in the tournament. New Zealand and South Africa are both considered to be among the best teams in the world, while former champions England and Australia are never too far from the conversation.
Our tips for betting on rugby
- Study form: Like any other sport, doing your research and studying form is essential when betting on rugby. Understanding a team’s record against certain opponents, their style of play, and their momentum coming into a game can be hugely important. Likewise, it is important to study individual players if you are planning on placing any prop bets. We also advise keeping up to date with team news and weather warnings, both of which can impact the outcome of a match.
- Find value in handicap markets: Rugby tends to have much higher scores than many sports, and the scoring system means that some games can end up being one-sided. For example, a Six Nations encounter between Ireland and Italy could end up being an extremely one-sided affair. As such, you are often better off looking at the handicap markets to find value, more so than you are in other sports.
- Understand the format: Make sure you fully understand the difference between rugby league and rugby union before you start betting. As well as this, make sure you understand the format of tournaments, with things like bonus points in The Six Nations often having an impact on league tables.
- Watch out for big tournament promotions: While rugby is hugely popular in the UK, it is not as popular as football, and as such, there are not as many regular active promotions. However, this all changes during events like The Six Nations and The World Cup. Bookies will have a big selection of bonuses to enjoy, so be sure to keep your eyes on what they offer.
- Don’t chase losses: We always want to remind our readers to gamble responsibly and not chase losses. Betting on rugby can be a lot of fun, but it should never be at the expense of your bank balance or your mental health. If you feel like gambling is becoming a problem, check out some of the responsible gambling resources we have provided.
About the author
Liam Hoofe
Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.
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- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
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- Never chase their losses
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- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
