From Football to the Rugby World Cup: How Botswana’s Punters Are Expanding Their Betting Horizons

For many years now, football has been king in Botswana sports betting. Premier League football, UEFA Champions League action and African competitions have typically provided the matchups, rivalries and superstar players that keep punters flicking through the odds before kick-off.

Those platforms are far from redundant. But the options available to Botswana’s bettors are becoming much broader. Cricket. Rugby. Basketball. Tennis. Even horse racing is getting a look-in as sportsbooks broaden their markets and Botswana punters explore new sporting avenues.

Live betting. Smartphone technology. Promotions. And an international calendar packed with one major sporting event after another are all helping to drive the change. As we get ready for the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027, let’s go behind the try at how betting in Botswana is evolving beyond football.

Football Still Leads the Betting Line-Up

Even with the rise of rugby, football is not going away. Premier League football acts as the entry point for many sports bettors because there are so many matches, the English top flight is globally recognized, and football easily connects punters to local African teams, La Liga, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, and international football without switching bookmakers.

When you add in famous European clubs competing in Africa each summer, football ticks all the right boxes for punters and bookmakers alike. It’s familiar and easy to understand. The more you know about a sport, the easier it is to navigate the betting markets associated with it.

Exploring the Rugby Fray

Botswana has qualified for the men’s Rugby World Cup before, but has yet to reach a Rugby World Cup knockout stage. Boys and girls compete in junior tournaments, but domestic rugby remains a work in progress. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how much interest international rugby and the Rugby World Cup command from Botswana punters.

New Zealand, South Africa, France, Ireland, England. Australia. Argentina. Rugby World Cups are a chance for each country to prove itself against the world’s best. Bookmakers will be hoping that excitement filters through to the betting apps as rugby fans and newcomers follow a winner-takes-all tournament in Australia.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup will feature 24 teams. That’s an increase from the 20-team format previously used, according to AXN. “We are confident that the new tournament format will create more opportunities for more nations to fulfill their dream of playing on rugby’s biggest stage,” said a statement on the World Rugby website.

More teams. More matches. More betting markets? Rugby betting can be as detailed as football. Look beyond match winner and spread bets and you’ll find markets for total points, winning margins, moneyline props and even markets on individual players and try scorers, depending on the competition and bookmaker. Suddenly, rugby has plenty of hooks for would-be bettors.

RWC 2027 Betting Opportunities

If there’s one thing international sports betting loves, it’s a flagship tournament. The World Cup doesn’t have to be soccer. We’re talking about rugby in this instance. But major events have a habit of capturing the attention of new and existing sports fans. Live pools. Tournament-long bets. Match predictions. Add in any of rugby’s recognized top-tier teams, and you have plenty of reasons for casual fans to get betting.

The Rugby World Cup joins a long list of major international tournaments played each year. And while there are few parallels between football and rugby, bettors who dip their toes into the rugby realm may just find a new betting niche to explore. International sporting exposure helped grow football’s footprint.

Could the Rugby World Cup do the same for rugby betting? Here are some sports betting options for the Rugby World Cup. With that in mind, following South Africa’s exploits could be a great starting point for Botswana fans hoping to understand and appreciate the game.

Live Betting Continues to Grow in Popularity

For many punters, live betting is revolutionizing how they watch sports. Customers no longer have to place all of their bets before a match starts. Mobile sportsbooks allow punters to watch matches unfold and bet accordingly.

Bookmakers in Botswana frequently advertise pre-match and live betting opportunities. Live in-play betting markets are available across all sports, including football, rugby union, cricket and more. That’s significant because live betting allows punters to wait and see how a football match unfolds before placing a wager. As in cricket, the dynamics of a rugby match can change in an instant. Live betting during rugby union matches allows customers to react to tries, red cards, penalty kicks and other game-changing moments.

Why are sports bettors in Botswana betting on more than just football? The Rugby World Cup won’t be the last major sporting event Botswana bettors follow. Nor will it be the last opportunity bookmakers have to expose players to new betting markets.

Then there was football and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now seen by many as the biggest sports betting event in history, football’s showcase tournament expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches.

According to credible African football news outlets like AXN Betting, global betting volumes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were expected to surpass $50 billion. Could rugby do the same for World Cup betting? Here’s hoping.

Sports Betting in Botswana: FAQ

What sports do bettors like to bet on in Botswana?

Football is consistently one of the most bet upon sports in Botswana. Sports bettors enjoy betting on European football leagues, African competitions and international matches. But rugby, cricket, tennis, basketball and horse racing are also popular.

Is rugby growing in popularity with sports bettors in Botswana?

Interest in rugby should pick up when there’s a Rugby World Cup to follow or a high-profile test match taking place. We expect interest to pick up leading into and during the Rugby World Cup.

What sports can Botswana bettors bet on during the Rugby World Cup?

Depending on who you ask, rugby betting markets can include match winner bets, handicaps, total points, winning margin, and even individual player markets. Long betting markets, such as predicting the winner of the Rugby World Cup, may also be available.