The National Rugby League (NRL) is the leading rugby league club event in Australia. Having been established in 1908, the league is home to some of the best players in the world. 16 teams battle it out each season in the hope of lifting the famous Provan-Summons trophy. Punters also get in on the action, wagering on their favourite teams and players at NRL betting sites.

The speed, aggression and skill involved in the NRL makes it an appealing sports betting market. This page will outline the best NRL betting sites. We will also provide the most popular betting markets and NRL betting tips.

How We Rank the Best NRL Betting Sites

NRL betting odds are delivered by a large number of Australian online bookmakers today. As such, punters in Australia have a variety of options when it comes to backing their favourite clubs and players. In order to help you along the way, we have delivered only the very best NRL betting sites. When separating the best from the rest, our experts consider a number of factors, including the following:

Best NRL Betting Markets

When it comes to betting on the National Rugby League, there are a number of markets available to punters. Each is slightly different. So, let’s take a closer look at the most popular markets found at NRL betting sites:

Head to Head

The simplest form of NRL betting. This market involves simply wagering on the result between two teams. Home win, tie or away win are the options available to punters. Only the match result will determine whether your bet wins or loses. When it comes to head to head betting, we recommend Unibet, with the bookie covering all NRL matches.

NRL Line betting

Also known as handicap betting. Line betting is where one team is given a head start. For example, punters can bet on the favourite winning bu +7.5 points. PalmerBet is one of the leading bookies for NRL line betting.

Winning Margin

Some punters will also have the opportunity to bet on the margin of victory surrounding NRL fixtures. This will normally be between a set number of points. For example, 1-39 or 40+. Once the season is up and running, Sportsbet.com.au delivers this option.

Half Time/Full Time

Some teams have a reputation for being slow starters, while others regularly score tries in the closing stages of matches. As a result, betting on the result at both half time and full time can be beneficial. A host of options are available, including Team A/Team A, Team A/Team B and Team B/Team B. Neds is one of the NRL betting sites to offer this market.

First Try Scorer

Alex Johnston scored 23 tries during the 2020 NRL season. The Rabbitohs man was regularly backed to score the first try of the game. However, odds on all players to open the scoring are available at certain NRL betting sites.

Totals

Punters can also wager on the total number of points scored by an individual team or both teams. Whether it be over/under a set figure or a more accurate prediction, this is an increasingly popular market. For times when high scoring teams are involved, it could well be worth betting on a large number of points being recorded. This market is available whether it involves the Parramatta Eels, Manly, Gold Coast, Titans, Newcastle Knights, St George or NSW.

Leading Points Scorer

For those wishing to place an outright bet on the NRL, wagering on which player will end the season as the leading points scorer is an appealing option. Adam Reynolds finished with 221 points in 2020 to pick up the award. This market is likely to be available until the latter stages of the season, depending on how tight the race is.

Specials

A host of NRL betting specials are also on offer. One of the most popular is NRL wooden spoon betting. Here, punters bet on the team which they believe will finish bottom of the standings. For this market, we recommend Unibet. Bets can also be placed on the State of Origin game. This involves two Australian state representative sides, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.

NRL Betting Odds

Prices found at NRL betting sites will differ slightly, just as it does in AFL betting. As such, punters will want to know that they are taking advantage of nothing but the best odds. Odds are generally available to view in decimal, fractional or American formats. Odds comparison sites make it quick and easy to see which bookies perform the best in this area. As a result, our experts have selected the following as being the best NRL betting sites for odds:

5 Ultimate NRL Betting Tips

NRL betting tips are offered by a host of so-called experts online today. However, only some are worth taking advantage of. Whether it be the first game of the season or NRL Grand Final betting, there are a number of factors that punters must consider. So, before placing any bets, follow these simple steps:

Where To Watch NRL Live in Australia

We mentioned above how helpful it can be to watch NRL matches live. Doing so can also add to the excitement of betting on the footy competition. Punters in Australia can watch matches on different television channels. The Nine Network currently shows three games per round, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, Fox League shows 5 games per round, including the Grand Final. In terms of NRL betting sites, the following are our favourites for live streaming purposes:

Previous NRL Premiership Winners

The Melbourne Storms’ success in 2020 was their fourth NRL title. However, it is the South Sydney Rabbitohs who are the most successful in the history of the competition, having been crowned champions a record 21 times. The eight highest ranked teams in the NRL standings come the end of the season move on to the Series Finals. From there, the two best teams qualify to compete in the Grand Final. Held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, the Grand Final is normally played in October.

The Grand Final is one of the biggest days in the Australian sporting calendar. Many players dream of winning the game, as well as collecting the Clive Churchill Medal. This is given to the man of the match, with Ryan Papenhuyzen having won in 2020. NRL Grand Final beting odds are always highly anticipated. The table below shows the history of the Grand Final over the last 10 years:

 

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Scoreline
2011	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	New Zealand Warriors	24 – 10
2012	Melbourne Storm	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	14 – 4
2013	Sydney Roosters	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	26-18
2014	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	30-6
2015	North Queensland Cowboys	North Queensland Cowboys	17-16
2016	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Melbourne Storm	14-12
2017	Melbourne Storm	North Queensland Cowboys	34-6
2018	Sydney Roosters	Melbourne Storm	21-6
2019	Sydney Roosters	Canberra Raiders	14-8
2020	Melbourne Storm	Penrith Panthers	26-20
2021	Penrith Panthers	South Sydney Rabbitohs	14 – 12
2022	Penrith Panthers	Parramatta Eels	28 – 12

Betting NRL Bottom Line

The NRL is one of the most historic competitions in Australia. The NRL today attracts fans from across the country, who enjoy watching the physicality and skill on show. However, the NRL is also one of the biggest markets for bookmakers and punters alike. Betting on the NRL champions or an individual match during the season can be rewarding. So, be sure to check out our top ranked NRL betting sites. Not only are they all 100% safe, they offer a host of appealing betting options.

FAQs

Which is the best NRL betting site?

It is difficult to name just one bookmaker when it comes to NRL betting. A host of betting sites perform well when it comes to markets, odds, features and safety. However, having tested available platforms extensively, we recommend the likes of PalmerBet and Unibet.

What are the most popular NRL betting markets?

When it comes to betting on the NRL, the head to head market is the most popular, largely due to its simplicity. However, markets such as line, totals and first try scorer are also often utilised. Popular outright markets include to reach the Grand Final and highest points scorer of the season.

Which is the most successful team in the history of the NRL?

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have won the NRL a record 21 times, the last of which came in 2014. The team also claimed the unwanted wooden spoon in 2003, 2004 and 2006. The Melbourne Storm won the Premiership in 2020.

Can I place live bets on NRL matches?

Yes. Live NRL betting markets are available with the vast majority of bookies. As a result, punters can wager on matches even after the opening whistle has gone. For example, betting on the Melbourne Storm coming from behind to defeat the Sydney Roosters.

Are promotions surrounding the NRL available to punters?

Yes. Punters must be logged in to their account in order to view available promotions. However, the vast majority of online bookmakers offer promotions to existing customers. Some of which are specific to the NRl, while others are more generic.