Rugby Union is a popular close-contact team sport with a rich history and a massive global following. This intense game combines skill and brute strength in a way that has captivated millions of fans, particularly in countries like England, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Its most prestigious competition is the Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years and showcases several star players, including Pieter-Steph du Toit, Beauden Barret, and Antoine Dupont. Teams like the All Blacks (New Zealand), Springbok (South Africa), and the Wallabies (Australia) are among the top contenders for this iconic tournament.
Other notable competitions include the Six Nations Championship, contested annually by European countries, and The Rugby Championship, which is the equivalent tournament for national teams in the Southern Hemisphere. At club level, the Premiership Rugby, Top 14, and United Rugby Championship are considered major highlights of the annual league calendar.
Tim is our betting guru. Every gaming site needs one, and Tim’s our guy. He has plenty of experience in betting online and is quite successful at it. Tim’s favorite sports are hockey, baseball, and Esports. Tim believes the latter to be the future of betting.
Rugby Union’s unpredictable nature makes it a seriously appealing sports betting market. The game is known for intense rivalries and frequent underdog victories, which are factors that make gambling exciting and create potential for big wins. Luckily, with the availability of mobile apps and user-friendly websites, betting on this sport has never been more accessible.
For fans wagering on Rugby Union matches, a diverse range of options are available, from match winners to try scorers, total points, and spreads. In-play markets are also very popular, especially during high-stake games like the Rugby World Cup Finals or the Six Nations.
When placing bets, remember to take advantage of tools like live streaming, cash-out and real-time statistics that can help you make smarter wagers. Just as important, ensure that you’ve registered with a top-quality Rugby Union sportsbook. If you need help finding one, keep reading, as I’ll highlight some of the very best in this guide.
⭐ List of the Best Rugby Bookmakers
To create this list of the best Rugby Union bookmakers, I carefully considered key factors like the range of markets available, quality of odds, and frequency of promotions. As always, I only selected licensed sites with high-grade security, seamless banking, user-friendly design, mobile compatibility, and responsive support.
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on grounds of it being unconstitutional. The ruling gave states freedom to choose whether to legalize sports betting within their borders.
Currently, up to 38 states have embraced sports wagering, allowing Americans to bet in a safe and regulated environment. Currently, major companies like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM dominate the US market and offer robust services to fans in several states.
For your convenience, I’ve created this table of states that permit sports betting to help you know where it’s legal to wager on Rugby Union.
State
Online Betting
Retail Betting
Arizona
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Arkansas
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Colorado
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Connecticut
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Delaware
No ❌
Yes ✅
Illinois
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Indiana
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Iowa
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Kansas
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Kentucky
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Louisiana
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Maine
Yes ✅
No ❌
Maryland
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Massachusetts
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Michigan
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Mississippi
No ❌
Yes ✅
Montana
No ❌
Yes ✅
Nevada
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Hampshire
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Jersey
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Mexico
No ❌
Yes ✅
New York
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Ohio
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Oregon
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Pennsylvania
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Rhode Island
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
South Dakota
No ❌
Yes ✅
Tennessee
Yes ✅
No ❌
Vermont
Yes ✅
No ❌
Virginia
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
West Virginia
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Wisconsin
No ❌
Yes ✅
Wyoming
Yes ✅
No ❌
If you’re searching for a reliable sportsbook with competitive odds, quick payouts, and exceptional customer service, you should look towards state-licensed operators. These platforms are strictly monitored to ensure that they comply with regulations and give you the best possible experience. To find the best ones, check out this list of the top licensed bookmakers for betting on Rugby Union in the US.
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
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For individuals seeking a wider range of options, offshore sportsbooks remain a popular alternative thanks to their broad coverage and lucrative bonuses. After thorough research, I curated this list of the most reliable licensed offshore bookmakers currently available to those in the US. Take a moment to explore the different options available and choose your preferred operator.
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
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🇬🇧 The Best Rugby Union Bookies in the UK
The rapid growth of the UK’s betting market is driven by its well-regulated environment and the country’s strong sporting culture. Sports such as Rugby Union are religiously followed by locals, many of whom enjoy getting in some gambling action on their favourite matches. Of course, it helps that there are several operators available that offer extensive domestic and international markets.
As things stand, companies like bet365, Paddy Power, and William Hill rank as major players in the UK landscape. These platforms are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), one of the industry’s safest and most transparent authorities.
Bookmakers licensed under the UKGC follow strict standards for fairness, security and responsible gambling. They also deliver excellent odds and enticing promotions. If you need a UKGC-regulated platform that suits your preferences, explore my list of the best licensed bookies in the United Kingdom.
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
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For wider variety, consider looking towards offshore bookmakers that offer reliable odds and solid market depth. These rugby online betting sites operate under licenses from trusted jurisdictions, which makes them completely safe to use. Find the best ones on this list of the top international sportsbooks catering to bettors in the UK.
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
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🔠 The Best Rugby Union Betting Sites by Category
Sometimes, having too many options can be overwhelming. To help with that, I’ve handpicked the seven best Rugby Union sportsbooks available to fans in the US and UK. These bookmakers have been sorted into categories to help you identify their most prominent features.
I also put out short reviews of each platform to give you sufficient information before making a choice.
A major reason why Betway tops my list is that it’s extremely convenient to use, both for new and returning punters. The bookmaker’s website is designed to provide a seamless experience with its clean layout, clearly defined sections, and user-focused features.
Using the ‘A-Z’ sports menu or search function, punters can almost instantly locate upcoming and in-play Rugby Union markets. For those who only bet on mobile, the sportsbook’s app is just as convenient, and it delivers full desktop functionality and fast loading speeds.
Another way Betway guarantees a great user experience is by offering advanced features like cash-out, live streaming, in-depth statistics, and bet builders.
William Hill is a top-rated pick for punters looking for the best bonuses and promotions. The company may be most popular for its long-standing reputation, but the customer rewards also stand out for us.
They start with a generous welcome bonus offered in the form of risk-free bets for new users who deposit into their account. The specific details of William Hill’s welcome pack varies by region, so you should confirm the exact bonus that’s available where you are.
After subsequent visits and further deposits, you can expect deposit match bonuses, enhanced odds and cashback deals for narrowly missed bets. I also liked the profit boosts the bookie delivers on its daily accumulators. It’s an angle you should consider if you’re looking for some extra value on your betting.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Generous welcome offers
Frequent promotions on Rugby Union events
Accumulator boosts and cashback options
Transparent bonus terms
CONS
Some promotions may have high wagering requirements
Access to mobile betting is essential for many users, so any sportsbook that satisfies this need to a high level is definitely worth recommending. Based on my research, bet365 sets the gold standard in this category.
Its user-friendly app is equipped with an intuitive design, lightning-fast performance, and functionality that matches the desktop site. The well-organized menus also facilitate quick access to popular markets like Six Nations or Rugby World Cup matches.
The app supports In-play betting, and it is integrated with live streaming and early payout functions. It also maintains compatibility across devices, so iOS & Android users can access convenient mobile betting anytime, anywhere.
PROS
CONS
PROS
User-friendly mobile app design
Comprehensive in-play betting and live streaming
Exclusive app-only bonuses
Supports a wide range of payment methods
CONS
First-time users may need time to familiarize with all the features
Solisbet’s status as one of the best rugby sportsbooks is based on its strong odds and high payouts. By consistently delivering low margins, the bookmaker is able to maintain an impressive payout rate of up to 98% on select markets.
Odds on this site are competitive across pre-match and in-play markets, and during major tournaments, Solisbet goes the extra mile by boosting prices on key matches.
One downside to be aware of is that it does not always offer the best bonuses or market variety compared to competitors. But if you prioritize higher payout potential over these qualities, then the low margins offered here are a solid option.
PROS
CONS
PROS
High payout rate of up to 98%
Consistently low margins and competitive odds
Enhanced odds on major tournaments
Fast and secure payouts
CONS
Does not offer as many promotions as other bookies
BC.Game is highly recommended for individuals who prefer to fund their wagering with cryptocurrency. The operator’s cutting-edge blockchain technology helps guarantee a secure and efficient experience for the modern punter.
It supports a wide range of coins for deposits and withdrawals, from popular options like bitcoin and ethereum to altcoins such as litecoin and solana. Due to their blockchain integration, these methods guarantee privacy and short transaction times.
I was impressed with the crypto-specific incentives offered on this site, especially because, sometimes, bookies tend to consider cryptocurrency enthusiasts second-choice users.
BC.Game’s 24/7 customer support and focus on community engagement also serve to improve the overall banking experience.
Bovada sportsbook offers some of the most generous VIP loyalty benefits to Rugby Union fans in the US. In my estimation, this site should be top of your list if you’re looking for a bookmaker that prioritizes regular users and high-stakes bettors.
Bovada’s Rewards Program is structured to award points for every wagering activity. These points can be redeemed for cash bonuses, and when accumulated over time, they qualify you for higher exchange rates, faster withdrawals, and exclusive promotions. At the highest level, punters can also access dedicated account managers and tailored boosts on specific markets.
Outside of its loyalty scheme, Bovada’s odds are competitive, and it provides a wide range of betting markets on a user-friendly interface. So even if the VIP program is not your main priority, you should still find this bookie to be well-rounded.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Robust loyalty program with tiered rewards
Faster withdrawals and personalized customer service
Exclusive promotions and boosted odds
Competitive odds and extensive markets
CONS
Requires significant wagering activity to unlock higher-tier benefits
The Betfair Exchange offers Rugby Union fans a unique platform to wager directly against other users rather than a traditional bookmaker. With this peer-to-peer (P2P) model, there’s greater flexibility when wagering because you can choose to back or lay bets. Moreso, popular Rugby Union events often attract large volumes of users, further increasing the possibilities of p2p action.
Because its odds are determined by the market, not bookie margins, the exchange system delivers more competitive prices compared to standard sportsbooks.
If you’re an experienced punter who enjoys the strategy that comes with laying bets, this platform should be a good choice for you. However, even those completely new to the exchange model will find user-friendly guides and resources to get them up to speed.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Peer-to-peer betting with flexible back and lay options
Having summarised key features of the top seven bookmakers for rugby, let’s see how they perform when compared directly. This comparison table highlights their key features, payment limits, payout speed, and overall rating.
While all rugby sports betting sites provide their customers bonuses and promotional offers, only a few consistently have arrays of attractive rugby betting offers. These few bookies include the following:
📝 Why Do I Choose These Betting Sites for Rugby Union?
I evaluate these bookmakers based on important criteria before choosing them as the best rugby betting sites. These criteria include the following:
Security & Licensing – All the bookies I recommend have reputable licenses and a high security rating. They consistently ensure the safety and security of bettors’ personal and financial information.
Payment & Withdrawal Methods – The bookies also provide numerous payment methods for deposit and withdrawal transactions. Bettors are allowed to choose from a pool of options instead of being limited to a few.
Design & Usability – The sportsbooks have compelling websites that combine aesthetics and function. These designs meet industry and modern standards, providing bettors with a fantastic user experience.
Speed – Bettors don’t need to deal with a sluggish betting platform because the bookies I recommend have swift websites. Every function bettors click loads instantly.
Mobile Betting – Bettors can access these betting platforms using their mobile phones. Some bookies have mobile applications, while others have websites compatible with mobile use.
Features – The bookies I recommend have numerous features that make betting easier and more fun. For example, live streaming, in-play betting, performance stats page, and push notifications.
Customer Support – Rugby bookies recommended here have fantastic customer support systems. Bettors get answers to all questions and resolutions to all issues immediately using multiple channels.
💡 How to Bet on Rugby Union
To help you gather as much information as possible, I will provide facts on popular competitions, teams, and players. I will also highlight some of the most popular betting markets and give you practical tips for betting on them.
Most Popular Competitions & Tournaments
The following are some of the most popular competitions most bettors focus on.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is a thrilling competition held every four years. It sees top rugby-playing countries come together to compete for global glory. The competition’s first edition was in 1987, and New Zealand won it – the second-highest winner with three trophies that came in 1987, 2011, and 2015.
South Africa has won the most Rugby World Cups with wins in 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2023. Australia follows the top two with two titles they won in 1991 and 1999. The most recent edition of the competition was in 2023, and the next one will be in 2027
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Champions is a yearly competition between six European nations, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy. The competition initially included five nations, with Italy joining in 2000, making them six. England have won the most championships with seven titles. Wales, France and Ireland are the second most successful countries in the competition with six titles. The most recent edition of the competition was in 2025, and the next one will be in 2026, a highly anticipated annual event.
The Rugby Championship
The Rugby Championship is another exciting rugby union competition. It was formerly known as the Tri-Nations tournament involving New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. With the introduction of Argentina in 2012, the competition became the Rugby Championship.
In the Tri-Nations tournament, New Zealand was the most successful nation with 11 championships. Similarly, New Zealand remains the most successful nation since it became the Rugby Championship with 9 titles. The most recent edition was in 2024, and the next one will be in 2025.
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is one of the largest professional competitions. It consists of teams from New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Notable teams from these countries include Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Cheetahs, and Lions (South African Conference), Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders, Chiefs, and Hurricanes (New Zealand Conference), and Reds, Waratahs, Force, Brumbies, and Rebels (Australian Conference).
The first season of the competition was in 1996, involving twelve teams from the three aforementioned countries. New Zealand teams have dominated the competition with 20 championships in 27 years. The Crusaders are the most successful team in the competition, having won 16 titles.
Gallagher Premiership
The Gallagher Premiership is a professional league in England. It was established in 1987 under the name Courage League. It changed its name twice before becoming the Gallagher Premiership in 2018. The competition involves 10 teams competing for national glory.
Leicester Tigers are the most successful team in the league, with 11 titles. Bath, Wasps, and Saracens are the most recent champions, winning their sixth title. The 2024/25 season will begin on September 20.
Top 14
Top 14 is one of the three major rugby union club competitions in Europe. It was created in 1892 involving the best teams in France. This competition delivers the most fun through intense gameplay as clubs compete for a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Stade Toulousain is the most successful club in the competition, with 23 wins. Stade Français is second with 14 wins. The Top 14 clubs attract so many skillful talents across the world who showcase their skills on every matchday.
United Rugby Championship
United Rugby Championship is an annual professional rugby union competition. It involves teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. It’s one of the three most exciting major leagues in Europe, taking place between September and May.
Leinster (Ireland) have won the most titles, with eight in their cabinet. Munster (Ireland) and Ospreys (Wales) are second with four titles. Glasgow Warriors (Scotland) and Scarlets (Wales) have won twice each.
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship is a popular professional competition in New Zealand. It was formerly called the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup, and Mitre 10 Cup. The Mitre 10 features 14 provincial teams, the top seven of which make up the premiership, and the bottom seven make up the championship.
Canterbury is the most successful team, with 11 titles. Other top teams in the competition include Wellington, Tasman, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty. You can find and wager on them on the best online rugby betting sites.
Currie Cup
Currie Cup is South Africa’s premier rugby competition. It features eight teams from provinces across the country who compete for national glory. The competition was established in 1889, making it one of the oldest rugby competitions worldwide.
Different teams have won the championship, with Western Province, Northern Transvaal/Blue Bulls, Transvaal/Gauteng Lions/Golden Lions being some of the most successful.
European Rugby Champions Cup
The European Rugby Champions Cup is an annual top-tier competition that involves the best teams from European leagues. These teams qualify to compete in the cup based on their domestic league finishes.
Toulouse ranks highest among the teams from each country. They’ve won the competition six times. Other notable winners include Leinster and Saracens.
Top Teams
If you’re looking for top rugby union teams to wager on, below are options to explore.
🇳🇿 New Zealand (All Blacks)
The New Zealand rugby union team has achieved so much success since it was established. The team is popularly known as the All Blacks, with their black jersey and Maori war dance they perform before every event.
The All Blacks have three Rugby World Cup titles (1987, 2011, and 2015), and 11 Tri-Nations Series. Some of the team’s top players include Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Jonah Lomu.
🇿🇦 South Africa (Springboks)
While football is popular in South Africa, it’s not as popular as rugby. The Springboks embody the country’s excellence in rugby with numerous titles in their trophy cabinet. They are currently the highest-ranking team in the world with their recent success in the Rugby World Cup (2019 and 2023 winners).
Popular players in the team include Siya Kolisi, Joseph Dweba, Thomas Du Toit, and many others. They are a high-performing team to wager on across different rugby union competitions. South Africa Won the final game of the World Cup 12 – 11 against New Zealand’s All Blacks in 2023.
🏴 England
The England rugby team is one of the highest performing rugby union teams in the world. The team boasts 29 outright victories in the Six Nations Championship and 13 Grand Slam wins, among other titles. The national team’s highest ranking in the world was 1st in 2003 and 2019.
Some of the popular players in the team include Owen Farells, Lock Maro Itoje, and Fly-half Marcus Smith. With the current crop of players, the team is poised for greater success in years to come, making them an ideal betting option.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia is a popular rugby-playing country with a high-performing men’s national team. Popularly known as the Wallabies, the Australian team are unique for their attacking playing style. This style has brought them so much success, being a two-time winner of the Rugby World Cup.
The team’s highest ranking came in 2004, the second-best team in the world. Some popular names in the team include David Campese, George Gregan, John Eales, and Michael Lynagh.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland is a top European rugby union team that represents Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. They are third in world ranking with titles like six Six Nations Championships, three Grand Slams, and eight Triple Crowns, among other accolades.
Some popular players in the team include Brian O’Driscoll, Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell, and Ronan O’Gara.
🏴 Wales
Wales rugby team ranks amongst the top teams in the world. While they have never won the Rugby World Cup, they have six titles in the Six Nations Championship and four Grand Slam victories in 2005, 2008, 2012, and 2019.
Some of the top players in the team include Gareth Edwards, Shane Williams, Barry John, and Sam Warburton.
🇫🇷 France
France is a top rugby team with fantastic showings in competitions over the years. While they haven’t won the Rugby World Cup, they have six Six Nations Championship titles, and four Grand Slam victories.
Serge Blanco, Philippe Sella, Thierry Dusautoir, and Fabien Pelous are some of the most popular names on the French rugby team.
🇦🇷 Argentina
The Argentina rugby team has competed at the highest level of rugby tournaments for years. The team made their mark in the competition in 2007 by achieving a third-place finish after beating France.
Some of the notable players in the team include Ignacio Ruiz, Santiago Carreras, Nicholas Sanchez, and Julian Montoya.
Some of the popular players on the team include Gavin Hastings, John Jefferey, Finn Russell, and Gregor Townsend.
🇯🇵 Japan
The Brave Blossoms are an exciting rugby team with solid outings in 2015 and 2019. Some of the popular players on the team include Yu Tamura, Michael Leitch, Shota Horie, and Kotaro Matsushima.
Top Players
Some of the best players to watch out for when betting include the following:
Richie McCaw
Dan Carter
Johnny Sexton
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Owen Farell
Beauden Barrett
Maro Itoje
Brodie Retallick
Kieran Read
Tadhg Furlong
Most Popular Betting Markets
Before you place a bet, you must be familiar with some of the betting markets. Below are the notable ones you must know:
Future Bets
The future betting market is the type that allows you to wager on teams you think would win specific competitions at the end. For example, at the beginning of a Rugby World Cup or Currie Cup, you could select a team that wins each competition at the end.
Match Bets
Match bet is the most straightforward market as it allows bettors to select teams to win, no matter the points. It typically comes with smaller odds as it’s a low-risk option. With several rugby competitions across the world, you can select multiple match betting markets to accumulate enough odds to wager on.
Margin Bets
Margin bets on the best rugby betting online platform is an exciting market that allows you to determine who wins an event and the margin of points they’ll get over their opponent. For example, if New Zealand, a strong team, is facing Italy, a weaker team, the margin market allows you to wager on New Zealand as the winner by a specific number of points.
Betting Tips
To become successful you must observe practical betting tips from our experts. Some of these tips include the following:
Carefully observe and evaluate the best online betting sites for rugby before selecting one.
Be familiar with rugby sports and teams before you start wagering on them.
Winning in your first few trials shouldn’t make you arrogant.
Ensure you gamble responsibly and wager only the amount you’re willing to lose.
Check all information available before you start betting.
Be aware of problem gambling, causes, and risks.
🔚 Bottom Line
The following are some of the most exciting facts about this sport and its online betting scene:
The most popular rugby union competitions include the Rugby World Cup, European Rugby Champions Cup, Six Nations Championship, and Super Rugby.
The most popular rugby union players are Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Johnny Sexton, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Owen Farell, and Beauden Barrett.
Rugby is most popular in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, France, and Wales.
Rugby is a fascinating sport that commands the interest of millions of people from across the world. As you’re familiar with some of the leading teams globally, ensure you choose the best online rugby union betting site, learn the markets, and observe some of our tips before you start betting.
Tim is our betting guru. Every gaming site needs one, and Tim’s our guy. He has plenty of experience in betting online and is quite successful at it. Tim’s favorite sports are hockey, baseball, and Esports. Tim believes the latter to be the future of betting.
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