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Legal Betting on Rugby Football Union

Rugby Football Union LogoBefore you bet on the sport of Rugby it is important to know the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the premier organization governing the sport today, and the demand for legal betting on the RFU from US bettors has risen. The other popular organization, the Rugby Football League, split from the Rugby Football Union in the 1980s over a monetary dispute and differences in rules.

The RFU, however, has become incredibly popular internationally and holds a steady pace in the rugby betting market. Many American gamblers think of rugby as a cross between American football and soccer, and they are not too far off.

Some of the most popular sports teams, like the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks, hail from the RFU. In this guide, we break down the RFU betting odds and show you how to legally bet on rugby.

Best Legal Rugby Union Online Sports Betting Sites For 2024

 Site NameCurrent BonusAgeU.S.Visit Site
Top Rated #1 IconBovada Sportsbook50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
2BetUS125% Max $3,12518+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
3Betonline Sportsbook50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
4sports betting logo50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
5MyBookie Sportsbook50% Max $1,00021+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
6xbet logo50% Max $50021+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review

Is It Legal To Bet On Rugby Football Union Games?

Yes, it is legal for US bettors to wager on RFU games as long as they place their bets at a sportsbook that is operating legally either domestically or offshore.  Moreover, there is no history of a US bettor being penalized for signing up with a legal online international sportsbook. US federal sports betting laws solely target industry operators and therefore individual bettors can proceed without the worry of legal fallouts.

However, state gambling laws vary with each individual state given the authority to determine their own fate when it comes to the legalization or prohibition of sports betting.  Only one state, Washington, imposes restrictions on online gambling. regardless of its source.  WA has not made any attempts to enforce these restrictions, however.

Rugby Football Union Players

Where Can I Bet On Rugby Union Games?

RFU betting options can be found primarily in two places for US gamblers, at domestic and online international offshore sportsbooks

Domestic Sportsbooks

State-regulated sportsbooks often have limited options for international sporting events. What's more, domestic sportsbooks can skew the lines on sports like rugby simply due to a lack of familiarity with international sports betting markets.

International Sportsbooks

International sportsbooks are much more robust in their rugby betting lines and are often a preferred choice for bettors. Legal gambling sites offering rugby sports betting accept nearly any eighteen and over US bettor. With bets coming in from across the globe, legal online sportsbooks often reflect a large betting pool with less skewed action. Our recommended international rugby betting sites are regulated leaders within the gambling industry and a safe place to wager.

Top Rugby Union Tournaments to Bet On

Here are some of the largest Rugby union tournaments that US gamblers can wager on.

Rugby World Cup logo
Six Nations logo
Tri Nations Logo
  • Rugby Union World Cup
  • Six Nations Championship - National teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales compete annually in the Six Nations Championship.
  • Rugby Championship (Tri Nations) - The Rugby Championship features the southern hemisphere's leading four teams, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and as of 2012, Argentina.

Here are other famous tournaments from the UK, Europe, and the southern hemisphere teams.

  • European Rugby Champions Cup
  • European Rugby Challenge Cup
  • English Premiership Rugby
  • Top 14
  • Pro14
  • Super Rugby
  • Mitre 10 Cup
  • Currie Cup
  • National Rugby Championship

Rugby Football Union Clubs And Rankings

Here are the RFU clubs and rankings from #1-#25, accredited by the World Rugby organization. The top 20 go to the World Cup, so consider looking at #21-#25 for some exciting underdog picks. The biggest climber right now is Portugal, and the biggest faller is Russia.

How To Legally Bet On Rugby Football Union Games Online

Legally betting on rugby as an American gambler requires a few essential steps. The first is to follow any link on our site to one of our top-rated legal betting sportsbooks. Once you click the link, you will be redirected to that sportsbooks sign-up page. You will then be prompted to enter your information, and make sure that it is verifiable; the sportsbook will not pay out your winnings otherwise.

Next, you can choose a legal online sportsbook banking option, although we always recommend cryptocurrency for efficiency and same-day payouts. Be sure to read through the sign-up bonuses and promotional offers before you make your first deposit as claiming these offers often takes place during the account funding process.

Rugby Union Mobile Betting

mobile bet iconAll of our recommended sportsbooks offer legal mobile sports betting apps to cater to comfortable on-the-go wagering. This is a plus for betting on the Rugby Union matches. With a seven-hour time difference between the US and South Africa, you could be in the middle of a work meeting when rugby betting lines drop, and matches begin.

Mobile sports betting allows US gamblers to wager from any smartphone or tablet device with an internet connection without having to download anything. Plus, with responsive design technology, your sports betting experience becomes optimized to work seamlessly on your mobile device, so you can stay updated on all the Rugby Union action.

Rugby Union Live Betting

Any US bettor looking to wager on Rugby Union games should be aware of international sportsbooks' live rugby betting options. Online sportsbooks outpace traditional sportsbooks by keeping betting lines open throughout the match. Rugby is an eighty-minute game with two halves, providing rugby bettors 1st half, 2nd half, and overall player and team props for pretty much every game.

Rugby Football Union Betting Tips

No Rugby Union betting guide is complete without a list of our trade-secret rugby betting tips and tricks. Nothing beats taking the time to learn and observe the game, but there are a few things you can do to make yourself a savvier rugby bettor.

  • Look at historical stats for the different Rugby Union teams that circulate the final championships. Teams like New Zealand, France, England, Wales, South Africa, and Australia frequently appear in the past five rugby World Cups. Learning stats of previous championships and games is the best way to make objective bets.
  • Join multiple sportsbooks. Betting odds will differ from book to book, and it's vital to browse different sites and speculate where the action is coming from if it's associated with a particular region. Placing multiple bets across other sportsbooks is the best way to maximize payouts.
  • Protect your bankroll. Most betting experts recommend setting yourself a maximum and minimum bet that will not exceed 3% of your total bankroll. This is a general guideline, and often occasions occur where it is wise to bet more than that self-imposed limit.