The Ultimate NRL Betting Guide

The NRL is where it’s at for Australian and New Zealand sports fans, with 17 teams going head-to-head to see who gets crowned NRL champions.

The teams competing in 2023 are:

The season starts on 2 March, with matches scheduled across Australia, plus the Warriors in action in New Zealand.

Can Penrith take the title for the third year running? They’re the reigning champs, so they’re the ones to beat, but we take a closer look at all you need to know in our ultimate guide to NRL betting.

2023 NRL Structure

The 2023 NRL season will be played over 27 rounds, with each of the 17 teams playing 24 home and away matches plus receiving three byes throughout the regular season.

The top eight teams in the table then progress to the playoffs, with the last two teams standing heading to the Grand Final.

NRL Predictions

It looks like a wide-open NRL season this year with plenty of teams that have ability to reach the Grand Final. Penrith are seeking a hat-trick of titles and are the current favourite with the bookmakers, but do they offer value at the odds – probably not.

The Roosters have rebuilt their squad, and having won the title in 2018 and 2019 – they could be the ones to upset the odds this season and bag the trophy once more.

The Top Five Tips for Successful NRL Betting

We’ve compiled a list of our top five tips for successful NRL betting – following these guidelines will hopefully increase your chances of having a positive betting experience.

🏆 Research

Before placing a bet, it is essential to research and analyse team and player statistics and team form. This helps to provide valuable insight into how teams may perform in upcoming games.

🏆 Value

Don’t always bet on the favourite. Sometimes, a team may be underrated and offer better betting value. Always check an odds comparison site and ensure you get the best price on your selection.

🏆 News

Injuries, team changes, and weather conditions can impact game outcomes, so staying updated with the latest news and developments is essential before placing a bet.

🏆 Home Advantage

Home advantage is significant in the NRL, and teams often perform better when playing on their home turf sp keep this in mind when analysing the NRL betting markets.

🏆 Budget

Betting can be addictive, so setting and sticking to a budget is crucial. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always avoid chasing losses.

Top Bookmakers for NRL Betting

All of the leading bookmakers provide excellent betting coverage of the NRL, and in this section, we take a closer look at some of the best.

Betway

With its Betway Rugby Club, Betway stands out as one of the best options for those interested in betting on the NRL. Club members receive a $5 free bet every week after placing a $20 wager on rugby league during the previous week. Furthermore, new Betway customers can get up to a $60 free bet – ideal for enjoying on the NRL action.

Aside from these perks, Betway offers highly competitive odds and a wide variety of betting markets on every NRL match, including live betting. If you’re always on the go, you can enjoy NRL betting on your mobile device by downloading the Betway app, which is available for iOS and Android users.

William Hill

If you’re looking for NRL betting, William Hill is an ideal choice, given its global recognition and excellent reputation. They provide an extensive selection of betting markets and odds throughout the NRL season, and new players can grab a $20 free bet welcome bonus.

William Hill also offers several ongoing promotions, such as Acca Freedom, which boosts your returns on a winning Acca or insures your Acca in case one selection fails to deliver.

For those who enjoy in-play betting, William Hill provides live betting on every NRL match, which you can access through their highly-rated mobile site and app.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle is a highly respected sportsbook that offers an exceptional experience for rugby betting enthusiasts. They provide extensive betting options and competitive odds on rugby leagues, including the NRL. They also offer live betting, allowing you to place wagers on the action as it unfolds.

Pinnacle’s commitment to providing the best possible value sets it apart from other sportsbooks. They offer some of the lowest margins in the industry and do not impose any betting limits, giving players the flexibility to place bets of any size.

Betiton

Betiton, a recently launched online sportsbook, has rapidly become a favoured destination for New Zealand punters interested in NRL betting. They provide a diverse range of sports and betting markets, with a fantastic selection dedicated to rugby league accessible via their website and user-friendly mobile app.

In addition, Betiton offers highly competitive NRL odds and numerous promotions, including a $15 free bet offer for new players. So, if you’ve yet to sign-up for Betiton, this is the perfect opportunity to join a sportsbook that offers a top-notch betting experience for NRL fans.

10bet

10bet is an established online sports betting platform operating since 2003, and they offer a wide range of sports betting options, including on the NRL.

Live streaming and in-play betting are excellent at 10bet, allowing punters to place bets while the action unfolds, enhancing the excitement and potentially increasing the likelihood of winning.

In addition, new players can claim a 50% matched bonus up to $50, perfect for using on NRL betting. 10bet also provides several ongoing promotions, such as cash bonuses on winning Accas and Price Boosts.

888sport

888sport is a respected online betting site that offers competitive odds and covers several sports, including rugby league. They provide comprehensive coverage of the NRL, with various betting markets available, on every game throughout the season.

Live betting is also accessible at 888sport, enabling punters to place bets while monitoring the game’s progress in real-time. They offer several excellent promotions and bonuses, such as a $30 free bet and a $10 casino bonus for new customers. Additionally, they provide an ongoing offer that rewards punters with a $5 free bet when you back a winner at 4/1 or higher.

Stake.com

Stake.com is a popular new online sports betting platform that appeals to players who prefer to bet with cryptocurrency. The platform offers extensive coverage of the NRL, with competitive odds available, particularly on handicap betting, and they provide live betting on all NRL games.

Additionally, they offer a cash-out feature on most betting markets, allowing you to lock in profits or minimise losses. And Stake.com have a fantastic welcome bonus for new players from New Zealand – a 200% deposit bonus offer.

NRL Bet Types

NRL fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to the available betting markets, and we take a closer look at the most popular ones below.

🏅 Outright Winner

This market sees you placing a bet on the team that will emerge as the winner of the 2023 NRL season.

🏅 To Reach the Grand Final

This market sees you placing a bet on a specific team to reach the Grand Final.

🏅 Match Outcome

A bet placed on the outcome of an individual NRL match, with possible options including a win for Team A, a win for Team B, or a draw.

🏅 Handicap Betting

This bet involves adding or subtracting points from each team and is commonly used when there is an obvious favourite in the match result market. For instance, the Rabbitohs might concede a 10-point handicap to the Sea Eagles, requiring them to secure a victory by 11 points or more to cover the handicap.

🏅 Total Points

Bookmakers will set a total points line that they think will be scored in the match by both teams, and you can place a bet on the total being over or under the points line.

NRL Live Betting

Punters have different preferences when placing their bets on NRL – some prefer to place pre-match wagers, while others find the thrill of live betting more exciting.

With live betting, you can watch the match in real time before placing your bets, giving you the advantage of making informed decisions. The best bookmakers all offer a full range of live betting options on every NRL match.

Similar Tournaments to the NRL

The UK was the birthplace of rugby league, and the Super League is the equivalent of the NRL. The Super League is the top-level professional rugby league competition in Europe, comprising 11 teams from England and one from France.

The league was formed in 1996 and has become a highly competitive and entertaining sporting event. The season runs from February to October, with each team playing 27 games, culminating in the Grand Final. St Helens are the reigning champions and hold the record for most titles with ten.

The History of the NRL

The NRL in its current format was formed in 1998 after much legal wrangling, and 14 teams featured in the inaugural season, with the Melbourne Storm winning the first-ever NRL Grand Final. The early 2000s saw NRL’s popularity explode, and it is now one of Australia’s most popular sporting events.

Seventeen clubs are featured in the 2023 NRL season, while 23 clubs have featured in the NRL since its first season in 1998, with 11 clubs having featured every season.

The reigning champions are the Penrith Panthers, while the most successful team has been the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who have won 21 titles.

NRL FAQs

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the NRL.