The Best Netball Betting Sites for 2023

Object of the Game

Netball is a game contested by two teams of seven players each. The object is to score the most goals by shooting the ball through the goal ring, which sits atop a 3.05 metre (10-foot) goal post. Unlike in basketball, there is no backboard to the ring.

A competitive netball game is played over four quarters. Most netball games are 60 minutes long in total. The team that scores the most goals in that time wins the match.

Players and Equipment

While each team has seven players, those players are restricted in where they can move on the court. Only two players may stand in the attacking shooting circle, which is the only place where goals can be scored. The positions are as follows:

• Goal Shooter: Must remain in the attacking third, and can enter the shooting circle and score goals.
• Goal Attack: Can move throughout the centre and attacking thirds, and can enter the shooting circle and score goals.
• Wing Attack: Can move between the centre and attacking thirds, but cannot enter the shooting circle.
• Centre: Can move anywhere on the court, except in either goal circle.
• Wing Defence: Can move between the centre and defensive thirds, but cannot stand in the defending shooting circle.
• Goal Defence: Can move between the centre and defensive thirds, including the defending goal circle.
• Goal Keeper: Most stay inside the defensive third, and can move into the defending shooting circle.

Netball is played on a 30.5 metre by 15.25 metre court. The goal circles are semi-circular and measure 4.9 metres in radius. A netball ball measures about 700 millimetres in circumference and weighs just over 400 grams.

Scoring

Goals may only be scored from inside the goal circle, which is also known as the shooting circle. Only the goal shooter or goal attack may shoot. Any ball that goes through the net from outside the circle or from any other player does not count.

In addition, if the goal keeper or goal defence deflects a shot, it does not count as a goal even if it goes through the ring.

Rules of Netball

In netball, players can take no more than one step with the ball before they must pass it. In addition, a player must either pass or shoot the ball within three seconds. This means that netball games regularly see most or all players touching the ball on a regular basis.

After each goal, the game restarts with a centre pass, in which the centre keeps one foot within the centre circle and passes the ball into play. These centre passes always alternate between teams, no matter who scored the last goal.

Contact in netball is limited. Players can only make contact if it does not impede an opponent. In addition, plays must be at least 0.9 metres (three feet) away from the player with the ball while attempting to defend them.

Match Winner

This is perhaps the simplest market in any sport, as you’ll simply be betting on which team will win an individual game. For instance, if you’re interested in Netball Superleague betting, you might see the following odds offered:

• Surrey Storm: 1.80
• Wasps Netball: 2.10

If your team wins the match, you’ll be paid at the listed odds on your bet.

Tournament Winner

Netball betting sites also offer odds on the winners of leagues and tournaments.

These odds are constantly updated throughout a competition based on how various teams are doing. You can play a bet on any team you like, and if they ultimately win the tournament, you’ll be paid out at the listed odds.

Tournament winner markets are a particularly popular option for Netball World Cup betting.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting allows bookmakers to offer similar odds on two teams even if they are not evenly matched. They do this by giving one team a handicap of a set number of goals.

For instance, the Melbourne Vixens may be favoured by 4.5 goals over Sunshine Coast Lightning.

In this handicap market, a bet on the Vixens would only win if they ‘cover the spread’ by winning by at least five goals, while a bet on Sunshine Coast wins even if the Lightning lose by four goals or less.

First Half Total Goals

Totals betting allows you to bet on the total number of goals that will be scored by both teams combined. However, these bets can be even more specific.

If you bet on the first half total goals, you’ll predict whether the combined score will be over or under a specific number – say, 60.5 goals – at halftime. If you predict the correct side of the total, you win your bet.

First Team to Score

Want to make a bet that will resolve right at the start of the match? Many netball betting sites allow you to bet on which team will score the first goal of the game. Pick the right team, and you’ll win your bet.

First to 10 Goals

The first to 10 goals bet is like the first team to score bet, though the results are somewhat less random.

As the name suggests, you’ll be asked to predict which of the two teams will get to the 10-goal mark first. If your team reaches double digits first, you win.

Find the Best Netball Odds

One of the best ways to improve your results when betting on any sport is to compare the odds at several different bookmakers. By opening accounts at multiple netball betting sites, you can always check which one is offering you the best payouts before you decide where to place your bets.

Research Injuries

The loss of a key player can drastically change the nature of a netball match. This can impact the odds of each team winning, but can also affect totals bets, as the loss of a top shooter might bring the score down, while an injury to a goal keeper could lead to a higher-scoring game. Be sure you know who is playing before placing your bets.

Look at Form and Competition

It’s always important to know how each team has performed lately. Even if a team’s overall results look good, you should be suspicious if they have lost their last five matches. However, the level of competition matters, too: a winning streak might look nice until you realize those victories have all come against teams at the bottom of the table.

Netball World Cup

The INF Netball World Cup started in 1963 and has been held every four years since. Historically, the competition has been dominated by Australia and New Zealand, with only Trinidad and Tobago claiming a shared title outside of those two nations. In 2019, 16 nations competed in the tournament, with New Zealand defeating Australia in the final while England took the bronze medals. Netball World Cup betting is popular from qualifying and pool play through the medal rounds.

ANZ Premiership

The ANZ Premiership is the top netball league in New Zealand. Six teams throughout New Zealand compete in the league, which is sponsored by the bank ANZ. The competition began in 2017, with Southern Steel winning the first two titles, after which Central Pulse picked up the next two championships. Most of our recommended sites offer ANZ netball betting throughout the season each year.

Netball Superleague

The Netball Superleague is the top netball competition in the United Kingdom. Most of the 10-team league hails from England, though teams from Wales and Scotland also play. Team Bath holds the record for the most league championships with five in total. Netball Superleague betting is popular and available at most of our top betting sites.

Suncorp Super Netball

Also known as the National Netball League, Suncorp Super Netball is the premier level of professional netball competition in Australia. Eight teams have competed for the championship each year since its inaugural season in 2017, with Sunshine Coast Lightning having won two titles. The season typically begins in April and ends in August or September, though that schedule has been modified to accommodate international netball events.