Rugby Betting: The Best Rugby Betting Sites in New Zealand 2024
If you’re from New Zealand, you’ll know how much fellow Kiwis love their rugby! While rugby union is typically the more popular code, rugby league also has a decent following. And many New Zealanders love a punt, particularly when it comes to major tournaments, like the Rugby World Cup.
Luckily, there are plenty of sports betting sites available in NZ for fans to place wagers online. If you’re interested in learning more about rugby betting, this guide will help.
We’ll explain how we rate the best rugby sites. We’ll list some of the most popular rugby betting markets and explain different types of bonuses. We’ll also explain more about NZ rugby and answer some FAQs to get you started.
Best Rugby Betting Sites
How We Rate the Best Rugby Betting Sites
At CasinoCrawlers, our experienced team assesses each betting site using strict criteria. We do the research for you, so you can be confident placing your bets.
Here are some of the criteria we use when assessing rugby league and rugby union betting sites.
Bonuses & Offers
There’s plenty of competition in NZ betting sites, with each site offering different bonuses and promos. We look for a high free bet value with unrestricted terms and conditions. Bonuses may include loyalty bonuses, free bets, minimal wagering requirements, enhanced odds, minimum odds on qualifying bets or special promotions on big events like the World Cup or Six Nations tournament.
Mobile Compatibility
We ensure the rugby betting sites we recommend are fully optimised for mobiles. Many of the best sites offer dedicated apps which offer a streamlined betting experience. Apps can mean fast loading times and a user-friendly interface.
We also look for features like touch ID, so you can log in quickly and deposit funds safely. There are also plenty of good sites available without apps that still offer a smooth experience using a web browser.
Odds & Markets
To make it on our recommended list, online betting sites need to offer competitive rugby odds. Particularly for the big international matches, like the World Cup. We look for value for NZ punters, comparing rugby union odds and rugby league betting odds between sites to find the best deals.
Banking Options
Using a rugby union betting site that offers various payment options is a priority for our review team. We want all punters to know that when their team wins, they can withdraw their winnings fast. Using their preferred payment option.
The top sites offer convenience, safety and security for transactions. We also make sure each site offers payment options for making deposits and withdrawing winnings. For example, Visa and MasterCard, and e-wallets like PayPal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay and Payz. Another payment option that’s becoming popular in NZ is cryptocurrency.
Customer Service
Customer service is an essential component of our criteria when recommending any platform. We look at providers that offer live chat 24/7, and fast response times. We also check for email addresses and social media assistance.
Importantly, we make sure there’s a customer service phone number, so you can talk to a real person when needed. Talking to someone in person can help answer any questions relating to rugby union betting odds or rugby union betting markets.
Licensing & Security
We only recommend platforms that are fully licensed and regulated. Licensed sites need to meet certain criteria and are reviewed by independent regulators. They must use specific security measures, including data security software, to keep your personal information safe. We also recommend platforms that are committed to responsible gaming.
Reputation
We prefer to recommend sites that have been around for a while and have solid reputations. We check each platform for fair conditions for all NZ players.
Top 3 Rugby Betting Sites NZ
| Betting Site | Bonuses & Promotions |
|---|---|
| Ivibet | First Deposit Bonus up to $150 + Sports VIP Programme |
| Treasure Spins | Welcome Bonus up to $100 + Reload Bonus |
| 21Bets | Welcome Sports Freebet ($25) + Weekend Sports Reload |
Most Popular Rugby Betting Markets
There are different types of rugby betting markets (for both codes) in NZ, including:
Tournament Outright
When you select an overall winner for a competition or tournament it’s known as an outright bet. Choosing an outright winner is popular when it’s a big event, like a Rugby World Cup or Six Nations. You’ll get different odds depending on how far out you place your bet, and who you pick as the tournament winner.
To Win
Betting on who you think will win is one of the simplest bets you can make in rugby union or rugby league betting. For example, choosing Scotland to beat Argentina in a single match. As well as betting on a win, you can also select a draw. The best sports betting platforms let you combine your bet with other wagers using a bet builder.
Margin
This type of punt allows you to select the winning margin for a game. A margin bet can be a good option when teams are mismatched. For example, if you back the All Blacks to beat Fiji by 10-15 points your odds will be better than placing a normal ‘To win’ bet.
Handicap Betting
This is another popular option for when teams are mismatched. As a punter, the match favourite has to win by a specific number (or the underdog needs to avoid losing by a certain number) to win.
HT & FT Result
This can be a great option if you’re anticipating the outcome of the game to change dramatically after half-time.
Rugby Union Betting
Punters can bet on various competitions and tournaments, including local NZ matches. Some of the big tournaments include the Six Nations, which is held each year in Europe. The teams that compete include England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy.
Closer to home is the Rugby Championship which features four teams, including the All Blacks, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. The Rugby World Cup is held every four years and is another big event that’s popular to bet on.
In terms of rugby union club competitions around the world, NZ punters have lots of options, including:
- Premiership, England (currently the Gallagher Premiership, formerly Aviva Premiership)
- Top 14, France
- Currie Cup, South Africa
- League One, Japan
The United Rugby Championship (URC) also features international clubs, including Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. Finally, the All Blacks, Australia and the Pacific Islands compete in the Super Rugby Pacific tournament.
Rugby League Betting
Punters can bet on various rugby league competitions, including the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australasia and the Super League in Europe. The NRL features 16 sides from Australia and NZ to compete for the Provan-Summons Trophy. While the Super League runs throughout the summer, with the Grand Final held at Old Trafford.
Like rugby union, there is also a World Cup that sees the top 16 international teams compete.
Rugby Betting Bonuses
Gambling sites offer different types of bonuses to attract punters. Bonuses can include:
- Welcome bonus: When you open an account with a platform, you may be eligible for a cash reward (e.g. $50 to place a bet).
- Deposit bonus: Rewarded when making a deposit.
- Referral bonus: Some sites offer referral promotions when a friend opens an account.
- Loyalty bonus: This bonus is available to loyal customers who use the site regularly.
We also look at how long bonuses and promotions last. Often the period is only 30 days or less. We consider wagering requirements to determine how much you need to wager before you can access your winnings.
Rugby Betting Sites with the Best App
The best rugby sites typically offer free apps to download from both Android and iOS devices. These apps are fully customisable and offer a seamless betting experience. They’re easy to use and are a great option if you’re looking to make a punt while you’re on the move.
New Zealand Rugby
Rugby union is New Zealand’s national sport. There are few sports that have the same passion and dedication of NZ fans as rugby union. Along with South Africa, the All Blacks are the most successful team in history, winning the Rugby World Cup three times. In comparison, fierce rival Australia has won only twice, and the England team just once.
Some of the most successful players in the world hail from NZ, and the salary of the All Blacks players reflect their skill and expertise. Some of the world’s most famous rugby union players hail from NZ, including Brad Weber and Sonny Bill Williams.
Alternative Sports Betting
If you are looking for another sport to bet on, take a look below, hopefully we got you covered:
Conclusion – Rugby Betting
Whether you’re placing a bet on an outright winner in premiership rugby, local rugby union competitions or a World Cup, there are plenty of options. New Zealand takes on some of the biggest international competitors (such as France, Argentina, Ireland, Wales and England) and having a punt can make watching the tournament all the more exciting.
Choosing a site that offers great bonuses and promotions, is reputable and allows you to make a range of bets is a great option. We recommend you do some research to understand the game you’re betting on before you make a wager. This will help increase your chances of securing a win.
References:
- Rugby World Cup. “All-Time Leading Performers”, https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/about/records
Lincoln is an expert in sports betting. With his skill and passion for trying our new brands in the iGaming industry, he frequently reviews sports betting sites and writes news about sports betting. Being a former sports trader, there’s not much he doesn’t know when it comes to sports betting.
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