Rugby Betting Sites
Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the world and is especially popular in the UK. No matter if you prefer rugby league or rugby union, betting on the sport makes it all the more fun. But how do you get started? We will walk you through how to start betting on rugby online, and which rugby betting sites are the best for UK players!
Written by Robert Cohen Fact-checked by Anita Fosen
Best Rugby Betting Sites with Free Bets
Let’s cut to the chase. These are the rugby betting sites that stand head and shoulders above the rest, offering the best odds and free bet promotions. If you’re looking to get started and make the most of your rugby betting, these are the top sites you need to check out.
1. William Hill
William Hill stands out as one of the top choices for rugby betting. With a solid reputation and a wide range of rugby markets, it’s perfect for anyone looking to back their team or dive into live betting.
Sign up and you’ll get £30 in Free Bets when you bet £10. It’s a simple way to get more out of your rugby bets right from the start. Whether you’re into the Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup, William Hill has you covered.
2. Betfred
Betfred Sport is a top choice for rugby fans, offering a solid selection of markets for everything from club matches to international tournaments. The site is easy to navigate, making it simple to place bets on your favourite rugby events.
New players can grab a great deal: Bet £10 and get £50 in Free Bets when using the promo code BETFRED50. The bonus is split across 5 bets, with £30 in Free Bets for any sportsbook market and £20 in Free Acca Bets.
3. Mr Play Sport
Mr Play Sport is a great pick if you’re after simplicity and solid value in your rugby bets. While it may not have the bells and whistles of some bigger brands, it gets the basics right, offering competitive odds on rugby matches and easy-to-use features.
New players can make the most of a £10 Free Bet when they place a £10 wager. It’s a straightforward deal with no complex requirements.
If you’re someone who likes to keep things simple and direct when placing rugby bets, Mr Play Sport is worth a look.
4. BetUK
Bet UK is a solid choice for rugby bettors, offering a variety of markets on rugby events from across the globe. The site is straightforward and easy to use, but it’s the betting options and competitive odds that stand out.
New players can grab a great deal: Bet £10 and get 3x £10 Free Bets. This gives you multiple opportunities to place a rugby bet, whether you’re backing a favourite team or trying out a few different markets.
It’s a simple offer with enough flexibility to make your rugby betting more exciting.
About Rugby Betting
Rugby is a hugely popular sport in the UK, with millions of fans following both rugby union and rugby league. While the two forms of rugby share common origins, they’ve developed into distinct versions, each with its own competitions and rules.
Rugby betting has grown just as rapidly, and there are plenty of exciting opportunities for punters. From traditional match outcome bets to more specific wagers like first try scorer or total points, rugby offers a diverse range of betting options. Big tournaments like the Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, and Premiership Rugby attract huge attention, making them some of the most exciting events to bet on.
If you’re new to rugby betting, don’t worry. We’ll be covering everything you need to know in much more detail further down this page, from how to place your first bet to understanding odds and markets.
Stay with us to get the full rundown and make the most of your rugby betting.
How to Get Started with Rugby Betting
As rugby is so popular, you’ll have no problem finding websites where you can bet on rugby online. What is important though, is that you choose a good site!
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your rugby betting site include details related to payments. You want to choose a site with quick withdrawal (quick payout) times where you can use your preferred payment method. If you for example don’t want to use a credit card but prefer using PayPal, you need to find sites that accept PayPal.
In this guide, we list some of the very best rugby betting sites for UK players. All you have to do is choose your preferred site from our reviews (and their bonus offers) and sign up. While they are all good choices, the decision comes down to your personal preferences.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Pick a Bookmaker
Choose a bookmaker from this page that offers competitive odds and a good range of rugby betting markets. - Sign Up for an Account
Register on the bookmaker’s website by providing your details, such as name, email, and payment information. Ensure you meet the legal gambling age. - Claim Your Welcome Offer
Take advantage of any welcome bonuses available to new players. This could be a free bet or other offers to boost your initial betting experience. - Deposit Funds into Your Account
Choose a payment method to deposit funds into your account. Options typically include debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. - Explore Rugby Betting Markets
Navigate to the rugby section and explore different betting markets such as match winner, first try scorer, or total points. - Place Your Bet
Select your event and bet type, enter your stake, and confirm your bet. - Withdraw Winnings (if any)
After your bet settles, withdraw your winnings via your chosen payment method, ensuring you meet any relevant withdrawal requirements.
Full List of Rugby Betting Sites
- Nice theme and concept for UK players
- Always 10% cashback
- Fair wagering requirements
- Free spins with low wagering requirement
- Welcome bonus for casino, live casino and sport
- Sportsbook, bingo and scratch cards in game selection
- Great welcome package with up to £1,000
- Weekly promotions and competitions
- Large game selection: lots of online scratch cards
- Monster casino app for mobile play
- Lots of promotions and bonuses
- Sport, casino, live casino, poker and bingo
- Mobile apps available
- Massive selection of sports and events to bet on
- Lots of promotions and offers
- Payments can be completed at Betfred shops
- Sports betting app available
- Lots of sports, events and leagues to bet on
- Sports promotions including large play boosts offered
- Casino, live casino and scratchcards available in the casino selection
- Large welcome package given across 5 deposits
- Game selection with 850+ games and detailed game descriptions
- Pay by mobile accepted
- New casino with sportsbook
- Lots of promotions offered
- Scratch cards available
- New and modern rebranding of BritainBet
- Casino and sportsbook in one
- Lots of promotions for active players
- Two welcome bonuses to choose from
- Good selection of sports and casino games
- Clear and extensive help centre
Betting Markets and Types
Rugby offers a wide variety of betting markets, catering to different strategies and preferences. Here’s an overview of the main betting options available:
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is a popular choice, particularly when there’s a clear favourite. This market gives one team a points advantage to level the playing field. Options like alternative handicaps and first-half handicaps provide more flexibility.
Winning Margin and Line Betting
With winning margin bets, you predict the point difference between teams. Line betting allows you to wager on whether the total points will go over or under a set line.
Half-Time/Full-Time and Match Result
The half-time/full-time market lets you bet on which team will lead at both intervals. The match result is a straightforward wager on the winner.
In-Play Betting
For those who enjoy live action, in-play betting allows you to place bets while the game is ongoing, making it a dynamic way to engage with the match.
Rugby Betting Tips
1. Make the most of major events
Before major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations, the best rugby betting companies spend a lot of money on promotional efforts. In exchange for their business, they offer new consumers lucrative sign-up bonuses and free bets.
2. Always check the weather forecast
Take note that players can play much easier and catch the ball if the weather is warm and dry. You should expect a lot of handling errors and scrums if it’s pouring. There are a lot of scrums and low-scoring matches when it rains. Some rugby betting sites offer useful information about the playing conditions.
3. Study each Team’s Style and Strategies
Before betting, you should research and understand each team’s style and strategies. Check to see if their techniques are effective against one other and who has the upper hand. Using this approach, you might forecast which team will win.
Bonus at Rugby Betting Sites
When signing up as a new player at an online sportsbook, you will normally be welcomed with a nice welcome bonus. This can be an offer with free bets or even a free registration bonus, allowing you to bet for free before spending your own money.
A sportsbook with a signup bonus will normally ask you to make a first deposit to receive the offer. You also need to look at the terms and conditions given with bonus offers, such as who it is available for.
Most rugby betting sites will also offer bonuses to seasoned and loyal players – not just when you first sign up. Many online sportsbooks are also combined with online casinos, where you can spin the wheels of slots and test your luck at the tables. Therefore you might also be rewarded with casino bonuses such as free spins, in addition to the sports bonuses.
Latest Rugby Bonuses
Rugby League Betting Sites
Once you have found your preferred online sportsbook and gotten your sign-up bonus, it is time to start betting on Rugby. If you are brand new to online betting, it can be smart to look at expert prediction tips and go for “easier odds” that are not too technical in the beginning.
For rugby, you can bet on different sports, leagues, and events, where rugby league betting is very popular. The best rugby league betting sites will offer lots of different odds to place such as 80-minute betting, handicap betting, and enhanced odds in addition to classic match betting.
Best Rugby League Odds
Rugby World Cup Betting
Every fourth year, the Rugby World Cup is held. It is the biggest international tournament for rugby league in the world, won by countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. France hosted the 2023 World Cup for men and the next world cup will take place in Australia in 2027.
Rugby World Cup betting simply makes the matches even more fun, with the World Cup odds changing as the teams perform their qualifying matches. We can’t wait for the next World Cup to be hosted!
Six Nations Betting
The Six Nations Championship is one of the biggest annual rugby events, featuring England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy. Played every spring, this tournament is a thrilling competition between Europe’s top rugby nations.
Six Nations betting is particularly popular due to the historic rivalries and closely contested matches. Whether betting on the tournament winner or individual match outcomes, the odds can shift as teams battle it out across five intense rounds. This makes Six Nations a must-watch and bet event for rugby fans!
Bookmaker Features
Different bookmakers offer unique features to enhance your rugby betting experience. Here’s a breakdown of the top features to look for:
Bet Builders
Many bookmakers now offer bet builders, allowing you to create custom bets on a single match by combining different markets like try scorers and winning margin.
Odds Boosts
Odds boosts are a popular feature, providing enhanced payouts on select rugby games or events, giving you more value for your bets.
Mobile Apps
A good betting app is crucial for on-the-go betting, offering a smooth user experience and easy access to live betting and promotions.
Futures and Price Boosts
With futures betting, you can wager on long-term outcomes like tournament winners. Many bookmakers also provide daily price boosts to offer better odds on upcoming matches.
Responsible Gambling
When betting on rugby or any sport, it’s important to practise responsible gambling.
Setting deposit limits and loss limits helps you stay in control of your spending. Many bookmakers offer tools like reality checks, time-outs, and self-exclusion to help you manage your gambling habits.
If you’re concerned about your gambling, there are UK charities and independent help services available, offering support and guidance. Always remember that gambling should remain fun, and using these tools can help ensure that you bet safely within your limits.
FAQ
You’ve now learned about the various rugby betting markets, unique bookmaker features, and responsible gambling practices. With this knowledge, you’re ready to explore the best rugby betting options and make informed choices. To wrap it up, let’s go through some frequently asked questions about rugby betting.
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What are the most common types of rugby bets?
Popular rugby bets include match result, handicap betting, and winning margin. Each offers different ways to bet on the outcome of a game.
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What’s the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
Rugby union has 15 players per team, while rugby league has 13. The rules and scoring system also differ slightly between the two formats.
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Can I place in-play bets on rugby?
Yes, most bookmakers offer in-play betting for rugby, allowing you to bet on events as the match unfolds.
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How does handicap betting work in rugby?
In handicap betting, one team is given a points advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds when there is a clear favourite.
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Are there special promotions for rugby betting?
Many bookmakers offer promotions like odds boosts, free bets, or cashback offers around major rugby events like the Six Nations.
Are you ready to start betting on rugby? Then check out our recommended rugby betting sites for UK players!