Football has been Uganda’s go-to sport for betting slip filler for years. Weekend after weekend, we’ve seen little else but English Premier League football, UEFA Champions League action, or Europe’s top domestic leagues represented in our betting tips and predictions. There’s another sport, however, that’s been creeping steadily up the ranks. Meet rugby.
While football may boast larger crowds, rugby has proven it has speed, and unpredictability in spades, keeping punters coming back for more. Between the Rugby Cranes’ continued success, increased television coverage, and surge in live betting opportunities, rugby is quickly becoming one of Uganda’s most popular betting sports.
The Rugby Cranes Are Growing the Sport
The Uganda Rugby Cranes have been quietly improving their reputation on the African rugby scene. Success in regional competitions and regular upsets over traditionally strong teams have helped position Uganda as a rugby nation on the rise. That success has translated into the sport itself, with more fans tuning in to Rugby Cranes’ international action. A growing youth fanbase wants to follow a team on social media platforms and on the best betting apps listed on Bettingtop10 Uganda that can go out and compete with the best.
Increased support has also led sportsbooks to offer more rugby-related markets. With every Rugby Cranes win, impressive display, or competitive loss, we’ve seen more bookmakers jump on board to offer Rugby betting. So long as the Rugby Cranes keep improving, we’ll likely see a growing interest in betting on their games.
Rugby Was Made for Live Betting
One team can have the ball and, within seconds, watch their offense turn into the other team’s best chance to score. Rugby is betting volatility at its finest. The team that scored first won’t always win. Teams can come back from a deficit. There will always be another turnover, another opportunity for the underdog.
In other words, rugby is made for live betting. Whether predicting the next team to score, total points, margin of victory, or if another try will be scored, rugby bets can keep you on the edge of your seat. Sure, other sports offer live betting, but can you name the last NFL game where you could comfortably sit back and relax? Neither can we.
Sevens Rugby is Growing in Popularity
You love rugby union. However, for true entertainment value and games you’ll struggle to pull away from, look no further than rugby sevens. Seven players per side and half the playing time make rugby sevens a blast. Every play matters.
Matches can end in seconds if a team fails to secure possession. The Uganda Rugby Sevens team has helped familiarize local fans with the format, thereby growing rugby’s presence in the country.
And like rugby union, betting on sevens can be exciting. Matches move quickly, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to react as the game unfolds. Uganda has quickly become a staple in African rugby sevens, helping familiarize fans with the faster-paced format.
Variety of Betting Markets
Rugby betting is more than just picking a winner. These days, you can wager on total points scored, margin of victory, first team to score, halftime leader, total number of tries, who will score next, and if both teams will score. Live betting adds even more opportunities.
As the game progresses, sportsbooks will offer additional markets to react to. This allows players to put their rugby knowledge to adjust bets as they see fit. Teams analyze just about every statistical category imaginable.
Just like football teams are judged by their passing yards and rushing yards, rugby teams are analyzed by tackle % success, territorial gains, number of line breaks, kicking efficiency, scrum efficiency, turnovers won, and possession %. Bookmakers analyze many of these same stats when creating their odds.
Bettors have also started taking advantage of these statistics. Many will dive into current form, home field advantage, points per game, injuries, and historical match data before making their selection. Add it all up, and you get today’s sports betting landscape. Where spending time researching can mean the difference between winning and losing.
A Changing Betting Landscape
Whether riding the Rugby Cranes bandwagon or diving into a sport they know little about, bettors are expanding their horizons and exploring new sports to bet on. It happens to be a perfect time for rugby.
With more television coverage, international exposure for the Rugby Cranes, and improving quality of competition in Africa, rugby is growing in popularity. Add in the excitement of live betting, and we’re sure rugby will continue claiming a spot on betting slips. Football may be king, but rugby is a new emerging queen.