Netball Review

Introduction to Netball Betting

Netball is at a major disadvantage to other betting sport in that only women play it in any recognised team form. Men’s netball is usually self-funded, and there is no domestic league structure. There are several national teams, and the sport has a high transgender participation rate. The physicality is hardly comparable, but the game has certain characteristics of basketball. The objective is to score more points than the opposition by throwing a ball into a hooped net. It is a team sport of six players, played over four quarters of 15 minutes. Teams earn one point from each successful scoring play. The structure of matches and scoring system lends netball to betting. Netball betting got a boost in the UK after England won the Commonwealth title in 2018. That trend should continue in 2022 because the Games will take place in the English city of Birmingham.

Betting Events

Netball has its roots in the United Kingdom where the first rules were documented at the start of the 20th century. The main domestic leagues take place in England, Australia and New Zealand. The International Netball Federation (INF) had 70 registered nations in 2019. The sport is not part of the Olympics programme, but there is a tournament for women at the Commonwealth games every four years. The other major international team tournaments are the World Championships, Quad Series and Fast 5 World Series played over a modified shorter format. The INF publish world rankings, and the higher ranked teams qualify by right for the major championships. There emerging shorter versions of the game that are akin to Twenty20 in cricket and rugby sevens.

Betting Types

Netball is a match sport with three potential outcomes (Home Win, Draw, Away Win). Bookmakers issue the match result odds a few days in advance. Team news and injuries can cause market fluctuations. There are not many live betting opportunities. There is live betting on the major international tournaments and domestic fixtures. Some bookmakers offer the cash out option on selected leagues and markets. Bookmakers publish ante-post betting on the outright winner of the major competitions and the Commonwealth Games. Bookies update the odds after each round. At the time of writing, no bookmakers offer bet building on a netball match.

Netball Markets

Netball matches are played over 60 minutes, and there can be up to about 50 scoring plays. Draws are rare but match betting is a three-way market including the tie. There is usually a definite outcome, therefore few bettors back a draw. The other most popular markets are handicaps and totals. Netball produces a plentiful number of goals, so these markets can be volatile. Bookmakers offer winner, handicaps and totals for each quarter and half. There are also more exotic markets, such as the quarter, half and match correct score. These speculative markets offer decent odds, but the outcomes are not easy to predict. Bettors can place wagers on live matches, and the betting is suspended after a key event such as a goal or end of quarter.