Bojoko's The Pools betting review covers the betting odds, sign up offer, promo code, withdrawal time, sister sites, and all other essential details for UK punters.
Play here »
New UK customers only, 18+.
Minimum deposit for bonus: £10.
Qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days.
Minimum odds for qualifying bet 1/2 (1.5).
Free bets are credited the day after bet settlement.
Free bets must be wagered in full on redemption.
Free bet value not included in returns.
Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org.
Here's What The Pools Looks Like
This is what The Pools looks like on your smartphone.
Summary
The Pools delivers competitive odds and a wide array of betting options, including various micro-betting markets and classic football pools.
The bookmaker offers solid free bet deals and weekly offers to add to the thrill. The drawback of The Pools is its limited payment methods and slow withdrawal times.
Bojoko rating
This review was made independently by Bojoko’s bookmaker experts. Rating score is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors.
The review method is uniform for all bookmakers affiliated with Bojoko, so you can easily compare this bookmaker with other brands.
From Bojoko's perspective, The Pools offers an authentic betting experience with the benefits of a modern sportsbook. We discovered that the bookmaker has an impressive betting platform with competitive and steady odds across over 30 sports, including broad eSports coverage.
The Pools is a long-standing bookmaker with a rich history dating back to 1923. The Pools is headquartered in Liverpool and holds a reputable UKGC licence, ensuring a secure and fair betting environment.
While maintaining its heritage through the football pools, The Pools has evolved to offer a comprehensive sportsbook experience for UK bettors. We highly appreciate The Pools' user-friendly platform and its unique offerings that create a nostalgic yet contemporary betting experience.
Amidst all the praise, it would be warmly welcomed if the bookie offered a few more payment options and introduced live streams to better serve live bettors.
The Pools offers the following welcome bonus for new customers:
Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets
It's a simple deal: bet at least £10 to claim free bets that are worth £20. The awarded bets are divided into bunches, and you will claim 4 times £5 free bets for different sports.
Stake £10+ at single or accumulated odds of 1/2 (1.5)
Receive 4 x £5 in free bets
Significant terms: 18+ New customers only. Minimum deposit for bonus: £10. Qualifying bet must be placed within 7 days. Minimum odds for qualifying bet 1/2 (1.5). Free bets must be wagered in full on redemption, free bet value excluded from returns. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Please gamble responsibly. Full terms and Bonus terms apply. GambleAware.org
The Pools Bonus Code
You do not need a unique bonus code to redeem The Pools' welcome offer. In case you want to explore exclusive betting bonuses that require a code, have a look at our dedicated page with a list of valid betting sites bonus codes.
Compare The Pools Sign Up Offer
The Pools' sign up offer of £20 in free bets for £10 is a good offer, so let's compare it to what other UK betting sites have in store.
NRG sportsbook has a similar free bet deal for new bettors, but the biggest difference in comparison to The Pools' offer is that you have to deposit at least £20 to claim a £10 free bet at NRG. This means that the deposit requirement is twice as big, but the free bet is half smaller, so the monetary value is way better when you choose the welcome bonus from The Pools.
When we examine the terms of both bonuses, we notice that NRG's welcome offer needs to be claimed with a bonus code compared to The Pools' offer, which is available without a code. Using a code always adds an extra layer for bettors to be aware of, so the sign-up offer from The Pools is easier to claim.
See how The Pools free bet bonus compares against other bookmakers by using our comparison tool below.
I calculated that the average payout percentage at The Pools is 94%. This means that The Pools offers above-average betting odds, which do not pale even against other top bookmakers.
When you bet at The Pools, you can place your bets with competitive odds and get a decent return on your stake, which is what you should always seek.
The betting markets at The Pools cover a broad range of sports, with over 30 listed in their A-Z menu. From football to tennis, golf to cricket, and even Gaelic hurling, you'll find numerous markets, including many niche options. I selected The Pools as one of the best water polo sportsbooks in the UK due to the wide offering of markets for the sport.
The Pools Football Markets
As a nod to its roots in football pools, The Pools offers an extensive selection of football betting markets. These include major leagues and tournaments as well as lesser-known competitions.
The odds for football markets are good, and the market selection covers everything that would be expected. Each football match has the Bet Builder possibility that opens even more betting opportunities.
The Pools provides the cashout feature on a wide range of popular markets. However, it's important to note that cashout may not be available for every bet you place.
To see if cashout is available for your bet, simply tap on the "cash out" tab on the bottom bar. There, you can review your open bets and check the available cashout offers.
Live betting at The Pools isn't just limited to popular sports like football or tennis. It encompasses a variety of sports, giving you the opportunity to bet live on different events from around the world.
As the dynamics of the game change, so do the odds. The Pools' lightning-fast platform offers continuously updated odds during live events. Additionally, you can use an interactive match tracker, head-to-head comparisons, squad information, and extensive stats to place the right bets.
The downside is that The Pools does not offer live streaming. While you can enjoy the dynamic live betting features, in-play graphics, and real-time updates, you won't be able to watch the live sports events directly through their platform.
The Pools offers deposits and withdrawals with only two options: debit cards and PayPal. You can use either Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro for card payments.
The payment process at The Pools is straightforward. It's really easy to deposit and withdraw from the betting site, and there are no fees whatsoever to worry about.
As expected, my deposits landed on my balance instantly. The withdrawal process, however, was not as swift. This is mostly due to the fact that debit card withdrawals take a longer time to reach your bank account, and The Pools does not offer any alternatives.
This limitation to a single payment method is somewhat disappointing, especially given the rising popularity and convenience of alternative payment options like e-wallets, open banking methods, and mobile payment solutions. For a list of bookmakers with open banking methods, explore Trustly betting sites.
The positives are that you can start betting with just £5 at The Pools.
The table below summarises the key features of all payment methods:
Payment Method
Min Deposit
Min Withdrawal
Possible Fees
Mastercard
£5
£5
-
Visa
£5
£5
-
Maestro
£5
£5
-
PayPal
£10
❌
-
The average withdrawal time at The Pools is 2-5 working days.
The Pools efficiently process withdrawal requests, often handling payments instantly. However, overall withdrawal time can be slower due to the time it takes for debit card transactions to appear in your account.
Here are the estimated withdrawal times for each method:
Mastercard: 2-5 working days
Visa: 2-5 working days
Maestro: 2-5 working days
Unfortunately, The Pools doesn't offer a dedicated betting application at the moment. However, the site works well with smart devices' native internet browsers, so not having an app isn't an issue.
The site's functionality is really good, and everything works as it should. Scrolling and navigating through the markets and placing a bet was straightforward, with no obstacles at all.
Customer support is one of the essential parts of an online bookmaker, as it is often the only interaction players have with the people behind the scenes.
Customer service at ThePools is available 24/7 through live chat, which is just simply lovely. You can contact ThePools using traditional post, email or chat.
I chose to interact with customer service using chat and email. At first, I entered my details and then got connected within a minute. I found the customer service helpful and knowledgeable, giving quick answers.
Contacting customer service via email was fast enough as my queries were answered in an hour compared to the days some bookies take to respond.
For those who prefer looking for their answers, you have the FAQ section in the help menu. From there, you will find most of your answers, although they seem short and could be a bit more comprehensive.
Email support: ✅
Live support: ✅
Phone support: ❌
As part of the gambling laws regulating the UK industry, all customers must pass the KYC verification process.
Should The Pools need you to verify your account, they will contact you via email, and you will have to send your documents for verification back through email.
You can send a clear photo of your driver's licence or passport to provide proof of identity.
To provide proof of address, you must provide documentation reflecting the address you registered on your gaming account. Documents that will be accepted are a utility bill, bank statement, council tax bill, broadband bill, or HMRC letter.
They usually verify within 48 hours, but it can take up to 72 hours. Due note that you cannot make a deposit or withdrawal until the process is complete.
The Pools operates under a UKGC licence, making this bookmaker a completely secure gambling destination for UK players.
The Pools takes responsible gambling rules seriously, and the site wants to do its best to prevent problem gambling. One of the ways to control your gambling on the site is to set your limits, for example:
Deposit limits
Session time limits
Reality checks
Time out from the site
Self-exclusion
If gambling seems to be taking over your life and you feel like you need outside help, you can contact organisations such as GambleAware, GAMSTOP and GamCare through the links on the website.
The Pools Sister Sites
If you enjoy traditional but modern betting sites like The Pools, consider checking out these fantastic similar sites to The Pools:
Betgoodwin betting review: A fresh new sportsbook focused on providing the best odds for UK and Irish horse racing and greyhounds. Betgoodwin also covers all major sports with competitive markets.
Fitzdares betting review: Fitzdares delivers a premium betting experience with luxury touches for the discerning punter. Stellar odds, exclusive member perks, and white-glove service make it a standout.
QuinnBet betting review: An established brand, Quinnbet offers a comprehensive sportsbook with excellent market depth and substantial value through odds and promotions.
FAQ About The Pools
ThePools is owned and operated by the UK-based gaming company Football Pools Limited, which has its headquarters in Liverpool.
Yes, ThePools is a safe and reputable betting site licensed and regulated with a UKGC licence number 48272.
The brand uses advanced security measures to protect customers' personal and financial information, including encryption technology and firewalls.
Pool betting is a form of betting where all stakes are placed into a single pool, and the winnings are distributed among the winning bettors based on the size of their stakes and the number of winning selections.
The odds and payouts are determined by the total amount of money in the pool and the number of winning bets. Pool betting is commonly used in horse racing, football, and other sports where there are multiple potential outcomes and a large number of bettors.
The Pools withdrawals take 2-5 banking days to reach your account. This is due to the fact that the bookmaker only offers withdrawals via debit cards, which are often the slowest withdrawal methods.
With a career starting in 2015, Teemu has an extensive background in content writing, collaborating with global companies in Finnish and English.
Since 2022, he has been working with Bojoko, focusing on sports betting and casino content, combining his passion for sports and the iGaming industry.
Methodology
This review was made independently by Bojoko’s betting expert. Rating score is based on both quantitative and
qualitative factors: offers, odds & markets, payment methods, customer service and usability.
The review method is uniform for all bookmakers affiliated with Bojoko, so you can easily compare this betting site with other brands.
Antti has expertise in several areas of gambling, especially in sports betting. His knowledge of communication and marketing makes him well-suited to generating relevant content for readers. He identifies himself as a fact seeker, so you can be sure that all of the important information is at your disposal.
Methodology
This review was made independently by Bojoko’s betting expert. Rating score is based on both quantitative and
qualitative factors: offers, odds & markets, payment methods, customer service and usability.
The review method is uniform for all bookmakers affiliated with Bojoko, so you can easily compare this betting site with other brands.
