Written by
Chris Flavell
Last time updated
24/05/2025
The State of Origin series is one of Australia’s biggest sporting events, so you can be sure that bookies have a wide array of odds and markets to bet on. We have worked to put a spotlight on the very best State of Origin betting sites to guide your choice.
We think PlayUp is an excellent choice for State of Origin betting. This top domestic bookie is also great throughout the season for general NRL betting and this is still the case for the much-anticipated clash between these rivals.
Let us explain more about why they are such a great choice. for this annual event. You should also consider other bookies on our list as they are all there for different reasons and offer something that may suit you better.
State of Origin Betting With PlayUp
PlayUp is an approved betting partner of the NRL, so it is no surprise it is one of the best bookies for betting on the State of Origin series. PlayUp is licensed by the Northern Territory Government and offers an easy-to-use betting app.
PlayUp has an impressive range of match markets, live odds and State of Origin futures. The app makes it easy to bet on the go and you get everything you would from the desktop site.
All the bookies we highlight on our recommended list offer impressive betting apps for iOS and Android devices, which is one of the reasons we picked them. However, if we had to pick just one then we think bet365 is an excellent option. Not only does the app offer all the same markets and betting odds as the desktop site, it also works well when paired with bet365’s top live streaming service.
Another option to look into give how good this bookie is for general rugby league betting is PlayUp. The PlayUp app has a much more basic design and could be a good choice for beginners or casual bettors.
One great thing about joining a top Australian betting site and downloading their betting app is that you will have quick and easy access to all the latest odds, which means you can bet as soon as you spot a value price.
It is important to always shop around to make sure you get the best value going. Getting better State of Origin odds is a quick way to boost any potential winnings. Let us explain more.
Odds Comparison
Bookmakers never offer the same price for every single market they offer. Prices will vary from one to the next, which is why you have to be prepared to compare State of Origin outright odds to make sure you are getting the best price for your stake.
As you can see from the table below, if you think Queensland can take the title in 2025 then you would be better to back them with bet365 instead of PlayUp or Unibet. It is only a small difference but over time it is worth getting the better price.
Our rugby league betting experts will bring you their State of Origin betting tips across the 2025 series. We will provide game-by-game predictions for each time the Blue and Maroons do battle. Here are our game 1 tips and predictions for Maroons vs Blues at the Suncorp Stadium.
Once you have signed up to a top Australia betting site and have downloaded funds to bet with, it is time to check out the array of markets on offer. This can range from outright futures markets to a host of match markets for every State of Origin fixture. Let us delve deeper into some of the most popular State of Origin bets you can place.
State of Origin Outright Winner
This is the first betting market that will be available for the State of Origin series. It is classed as a futures market and simply involves picking the state that will come out on top after the three series fixtures.
Match Betting
As well as betting on the outright series winner, there will be plenty of opportunities to bet on each match of the series. These three contests bring a host of markets you should consider. These will be almost identical to general NRL match bets that you see throughout the regular season. Let us pick out a few of the favourites among Aussie punters:
Match Winner Bets
Head-to-head markets is one of the most popular ways to bet on NRL matches, and also the easiest to understand. Head-to-head betting, also known as just ‘match winner’ betting, is when you back either team to win the match outright. This is all about predicting the team that will secure victory when the final whistle blows.
State of Origin Handicap Betting
Handicap or line betting is popular in State of Origin matches. The most popular is hanidcap betting in relation to the match winner. This gives the underdog a points advantage. So, if you fancy a team to win big and their head-to-head match odds are skinny, you will find better value in backing them minus a number of points. As this is a very popular market, you’ll find it at all of the bookies we listed above.
Number of Tries
This market is exactly what you would expect. Simply predict if the game will have more or less tries than an amount set by the bookie. You can also predict how many tries will be scored just by one team as well as both teams combined in the match.
First Try Scorer Betting
One of the best places to find higher odds is in the first try scorer market. It is harder to predict but offers better winnings if you can get it right. This market also includes multi scorer odds too so that you can predict a player will score two or more tries in the game. Combining this bet with an outright match winner bet is also a very popular same game multi bet.
Winning Margin Betting
This is just about predicting the winning margin for the game. You will see bookies offering odds for a 1-12 margin of victory for a certain side or a 13+ margin of victory. You have to place your wager on the team and the winning outcome. As you’d expect, adding this detail means bigger odds than just betting on a certain team to win.
Same Game Multi Bets
Another interesting way to bet on State of Origin matches is with same game multis. This is all about combining two or more markets we mentioned above to boost your potential winnings.
For example, picking the match winner and the first try scorer. Be aware that all legs have to be successful for your multi bet to be a winning one. We think keeping this type of bet to just two or three legs is the best way to go. You’ll need to find bookies that offer this type of betting and have a same game multi feature for punters. Here are a list of the top options:
It’s not all about conventional betting markets when it comes to the State of Origin series. Fantasy betting in general is becoming more and more popular in Australia and this includes the NRL and State of Origin matches.
Draftstars is by far the best NRL fantasy betting site in Australia if you want to get involved. There are a host of different entry fees for both beginners or seasoned players. The chance to create personal leagues for friends and family ahead of the State of Origin series is also a major plus in our eyes.
Once you pay your entry fee for the fantasy league of choice, you then draft a team and score points based on their on-field showings. The fantasy team with the highest points total takes the top prize.
Draftstars is the top choice when it comes to fantasy State of Origin betting in Australia. There is a wide range of competition and prize pools available.
It isn’t straightforward to place live bets in Australia. Regulations that were introduced by the Australian Government in the Interactive Gambling Act mean that most bookies won’t allow you to simply bet in-play online using your desktop or mobile device. Instead, punters have to pick up the phone to get their bets accepted.
The best at doing this are bet365 and Unibet. They will give you a code once you select your bet and the number to call to get your wager accepted. This makes in-play betting on live events quite quick compared to some others bookmakers. That said, it isn’t ideal and the delay can be an issue in this type of wagering.
That said, if live betting online in just a few clicks is something you are looking to do during the State of Origin series then you should seriously consider joining Betfair. Because it is a betting exchange and you are betting against other punters rather than a standard bookie, it means the regulations don’t apply and taking quick advantage of ever-changing live odds is easy with them.
All of the bookies we list for State of Origin betting will all offer betting bonuses to new and existing customers. You should just be aware that you won’t see them until after you have joined.
Bookies aren’t allowed to use bonus offers to entice new players but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. In fact, all of the bookies we recommend are known to have betting bonuses and promotions.
You should make sure you head to the promotions section of your chosen bookie as soon as you have signed up. Bonuses will come in many different forms but a popular choice is a matched deposit bonus up to a certain amount. For this reason, it is a good idea to check out the welcome bonuses before you make your first deposit.
Palmerbet State of Origin Promotions
Palmerbet is offering a number of special promotions for the 2025 State of Origin series. To take advantage of these offers you just need to sign up, deposit, and start betting.
You won’t be able to see exactly what is on offer until you have joined but great odds, samegame multi offers and other features will be available.
Live Streaming
Live streaming of the State of Origin series with Australia’s bookmakers isn’t common. Instead, you should look to watch the action with Australia’s TV networks. If we do see a bookmaker that is offering live streams of the State of Origin matches then we will be sure to highlight it here.
When it comes to general live streaming of other sports, it is bet365 that stands out in this regard. If any bookie is likely to offer this then it will be them. They do cover live streaming of lots of different sports so you should consider them if there are other events you have in mind for future betting opportunities.
One thing that has impressed us is bet365’s NRL live updates, which you can also expect for the State of Origin fixtures. You can follow the action with their match tracker, which shows where on the field the action is taking place, the up-to-date match stats, and the current score. It is an excellent alternative way to follow your State of Origin bets.
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State of Origin Betting Strategies
We have compiled some top advice to help your betting choices. Following this advice won’t guarantee winners but could help you spot some value odds when assessing which markets to bet on ahead of the State of Origin series.
Team Selection – Pay attention to who gets selected for each state. This gives you the chance to assess the balance of each squad and the potential head-to-head match-ups.
Consider Injuries and Suspensions – The presence or absence of key players because injury or suspension can influence a match but also hold clues to which players may step in to take their place.
Study The Stats – Past performances can provide clue to how some games may go, especially if being held at the same venue. The State of Origin teams may also have a similar look to them when compared to the previous year’s sides.
Pick The Right Betting Market – It is important to bet on the right market. Betting on a market you understand and are familiar with is always a good idea. Searching markets and spotting odds you think are too big is something worth doing.
Weather Conditions – Like all rugby matches, certain conditions are more conducive than others to certain styles of play. If the forecast looks like hindering one team’s style of play then there could be some value in betting against them.
Other Rugby Betting Opportunities
If you love betting on the State of Origin series or the NRL in general then you may like to consider other betting opportunities in the sport. A lot of the same advice, strategies, and betting chances also apply to similar events across both codes of rugby league and rugby union. Here are some of the other events to look out for:
The State of Origin series brings national attention to rugby league and with it comes plenty of chances to bet on this historic series. The best bookies all have odd available.
After assessing all the top choices we think PlayUp is an excellent choice, closely followed by bet365 and Unibet. We have also recommended a host of other bookies at the start of this page that may also be interesting for you depending on what you are after and the type of betting you like to do.
PlayUp is our number one choice for betting on the State of Origin series in Australia. Click the button below and check out our full list of recommendations!
There are lots of options betting on the State of Origin series in Australia. We like PlayUp but any of the suggestions on our recommended list are worth considering.
What is the best State of Origin betting app?
It is important to pick a bookie with a great betting app if you want to place State of Origin bets on the go. All of our recommended bookies comes with excellent apps, which was one of our top criteria for picking them. Unibet, bet365 and Betr really stand out.
Where can I find the best State of Origin odds?
No one bookie has the best State of Origin odds, be that for the outright series winner or individual match markets. The only way to know you are getting a value price for your wager is to take the time to compare bookmaker price and bet at the highest. This will boost any potential winnings.
Can I place live bets on the State of Origin?
Yes, living betting is possible with the best Australia bookies. Regulations mean you musty call up to confirm any in-play wagers unless you do it through Betfair. It is the only bookie where you can place live bets online without having to use the phone.
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