Rugby league rugby is one of the two popular variations of rugby played at the professional level. After a split from the Rugby Union the rugby league’s rules gradually changed in order to create a more spectator friendly sport. Spectator friendly sports go hand in hand with online sports betting because betting on an already exciting sport to watch makes it that much more thrilling.
On this page we look at where you can bet on rugby league, explain the most common bets and how to read the odds, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can You Bet On Rugby League?
Where you can bet on rugby league depends on where you live. Here is a quick look at the main options in the United States, Canada, the UK and elsewhere.
United States
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C. Some licensed sportsbooks offer odds on the NRL and other major rugby league competitions, although coverage varies by state and operator. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed. Offshore sportsbooks also accept bets from Americans, but they are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means there is no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Canada
Ontario has a regulated market of licensed online sportsbooks, and the other provinces offer online betting through their provincial lottery sites. The legal betting age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Coverage of rugby league varies by site, so check the markets offered before signing up.
United Kingdom
Licensed bookmakers in the UK offer odds on Super League, the Challenge Cup and the NRL, along with international matches. Use an operator licensed by the Gambling Commission, which requires you to be 18 or older and verifies your identity before you can bet.
Elsewhere
Many other countries regulate online betting with their own licensing systems, while some restrict it. Check the rules in your country before signing up with any betting site, and stick to operators licensed where you live.
Rugby League Betting Options
Sportsbooks offer plenty of options for rugby league matches. Spread betting is the most common form of rugby league wager, but there will also be money line bets for most matches. Let’s look at an example of both from an NRL match:
Gold Coast Titans (+7.5) -110
Melbourne Storm (-7.5) -110
The spread for this match is 7.5 with the Melbourne Storm being the favourites. A $110 bet on either team would result in a $100 win if they can beat the spread. The Titans must either win the match outright or lose by 7 or fewer points to beat the spread, while the Storm must win by 8 or more.
Gold Coast Titans +200
Melbourne Storm -240
Here are money line odds for the same game, but there is no spread and you win the bet if the team you choose wins the game straight up. The payouts depend on the odds so a $100 bet on the Titans would win $200, while you would have to wager $240 to win $100 betting on the Storm.
There are also many other prop bets that you can make on the rugby league matches such as which team scores first, race to 10 points, the winning margin, highest scoring half, over/under on total points and much more.
Futures wagers are also popular with the most common being betting on which team will win the championship of a given league. For example betting on which team wins the NRL Grand Final this year would be a typical futures bet.
How To Bet On Rugby League Online – Step By Step
Whichever site you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose a Licensed Site
Pick a sportsbook that is licensed where you live and offers rugby league markets. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
The minimum age is 21 in most US states, 18 or 19 in Canada depending on the province, and 18 in the UK. Most licensed sites also confirm that you are located where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Licensed sites are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for a photo of your ID or other documents.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the site’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the rugby league section, select the market you’re interested in, and enter your stake. Before confirming, check the odds and how much you stand to win.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before kickoff and stick to it. Most licensed sites let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, free help is available: call 1-800-GAMBLER in the US, ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 in Ontario, or the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 in the UK.
For more information on rugby league check out the Wikipedia page or the National Rugby League website to keep up to date on the main league in Australia.