What is Sin Bin? Sin Bin Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026
The sin bin is an area usually at the side of a sporting pitch in which a player sits after committing an offence that requires them to leave the field of play for a set period of time.
The offence committed by the player is not deemed severe enough to warrant an outright red card. After their time penalty has been served they are able to return to the field of play.
Also known in some sports as a penalty box, the sin bin is common in the two codes of Rugby and a regular occurrence in North America’s NHL ice hockey.
How is Sin Bin used in Sports Betting?
When a player is banished to the sin bin, it means whichever team they plays for is a player down for that allotted time, giving the opposing team the advantage.
This can have a big impact on the outright match winner markets as a superior team with reduced players suddenly gives the impetus to the opposing side.
A player in the sin bin can play no part in the game and much like in football with red card markets, some sportsbooks will run markets in whether there will be a set number of sin bins in a game.
It is always worth researching each team’s disciplinary record prior to a game as this may help sway your decision in the betting markets.
Did you know…
In 2013, Fiji set a new record for the most sin bins in an International game of Rugby Union.
The Fijians had five players sent to the bin on their way to a 37-31 defeat to Italy - who ironically jointly held the previous record of four.
