In this review for The Pools, we will take you through the unique features and offerings of this UK-based betting platform, after we spent over two weeks testing out the operator’s interesting mix of sports betting experiences.
We were pleased with what the site has to offer to UK players, and we think many people looking for their next favourite sportsbook will find it a suitable candidate. Plus, you’ll get £20 in Free Bets in a matter of minutes! Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about The Pools.
Details
Available Languages
en
Accepts Customers from
GB
Payment Methods
Customer Support
Website
thepools.com
Email
support@thepools.com
The Pools: Pros and Cons
Huge selections of sports events, all in one place.
Very nice user interface for the sportsbook section.
Deposits and payments are quick and easy, with short waiting times.
Just like we highlighted in our
Rhino.bet review, the sports betting section at The Pools is clearly the website’s flagship offerings. It’s evident that so much effort went into the sports betting area, making navigation among the many events remarkably straightforward. Even filling out the bet slip is intuitive and user-friendly, thanks to an interface that caters to both novices and experienced players.
The Pools covers dozens of sports including but not limited to:
Popular events such as football, cricket, horse racing, boxing, and Formula 1
Niche sports like golf, handball, and MMA
We were particularly impressed with the competitive odds, which are sure to satisfy even the most discerning bettors.
We personally prefer live betting because it allows you to place wagers based on the action unfolding before your eyes. If you’re like us, then you will surely appreciate the extensive live betting section, where you can quickly see all ongoing matches and upcoming events, complete with real-time statistics to help you make informed decisions.
We also particularly enjoyed the advanced bet builder for live betting, which lets you customize your bet slip in great detail. Overall, we were very positively impressed by the sports betting experience at The Pools, which makes it clear that the operator places a strong focus on its sportsbook.
Bonuses and Promotions for UK Players at The Pools
While we won’t delve into every detail of the bonus offering – we already have a detailed review for the bonuses available at The Pools – we’d still like to briefly touch on the general range of promotions available at the operator’s website, with a special focus on the welcome bonuses.
If you’re looking for
free betting sites in the UK, the good news is that you can place some bets for free here at The Pools. Generally speaking, the promotions are very attractive and come with reasonable playthrough requirements, so we do recommend checking them out if you decide to sign up at The Pools.
What Type of Bonuses Can You Claim As a New User at The Pools?
Talking about the welcome bonuses, for sports betting, eligible UK players (18+) can opt in by depositing and placing a £10 cash bet on either single or accumulator markets at minimum odds of 1/2 (or 1.5) within seven days of registration. If you meet these criteria, you’ll receive £20 in free bets, applicable to football, racing, tennis, and accumulator wagers.
There’s no need for a
The Pools promo code
– just make your first deposit and you’ll be golden. Overall, they may not be the most inviting welcome bonuses around, but they will surely boost your initial experience quite nicely.
The Pools’ Exclusive Memberships Program
Contrary to others, the Pools does not offer a traditional VIP club or loyalty program. Instead, it provides three distinct membership options that you can join – even more than one.
The first option is the Classic Pools Membership. Upon joining, you receive a ÂŁ10 sports bonus, which is credited within 72 hours, along with a ÂŁ1 free sports bet every week. These free bets are credited by 11am every Friday and expire after seven days.
The second option is the Goal Rush membership. Similar to the Classic Membership, joining Goal Rush gives you a ÂŁ20 sports bonus credited within 72 hours, along with weekly ÂŁ1 free sports bets under the same terms as Classic Pools.
Overall, while the platform does not feature a proper VIP club, these diverse membership options are still worth looking into, especially if you’re planning on staying here for the long haul. We recommend reading the full T&C before deciding whether it’s really convenient for you to join one (or more) subscription program, though.
Our Overall User Experience at The Pools UK
The Pools’ website is characterized by a clean color scheme dominated by white and light blue. While this gives the site a fresh and modern appearance, it isn’t entirely to our personal taste, as we tend to prefer darker, more elegant interfaces when it comes to sportsbooks. That said, aesthetics are subjective, and many users might appreciate the bright, airy design.
In terms of navigation, the sports section stands out for its clarity and ease of use. It is well organized and intuitive, catering effectively to both veteran bettors and newcomers. The overall performance of the site is quite good. Everything seems to load quickly and we have never encountered any technical issues.
In short, while the design may not be our personal favorite, The Pools offers a functional and reliable user experience. There is clear potential for improvement, but overall, the site maintains a solid, premium feel.
The Pools Betting UK on Mobile
Currently, The Pools does not offer a dedicated mobile app, which can be a significant drawback for those who prefer mobile gaming like me. Instead, you must rely on the mobile version of the website if you want to take your betting experience on the go.
We tested the mobile site and found it acceptable – nothing more, and nothing less. It replicates the desktop version quite well and is optimized for both smartphones and tablets. For the most part, everything runs nicely, however we did notice occasional slowdowns and other technical hiccups, which highlight the limitations of a browser based solution compared to a native app.
Additionally, we also missed the presence of push notifications. We always turn them on with our favourite betting apps so that we never miss useful updates on events and promotions, but obviously we couldn’t do that with The Pools. For experienced bettors who value real-time alerts, this is a clear disadvantage.
In short, while the mobile website is definitely serviceable, we hope The Pools develops native apps for Android and iOS devices in the near future, in order to provide a better mobile betting experience.
Bet on the go with The Pools sports mobile
Deposits and withdrawals at The Pools–available payment methods reviewed
When it comes to managing your funds, The Pools offers a relatively limited selection of payment methods, which is a common complaint in many The Pools reviews. Currently, the options are confined to:
Credit/debit cards – specifically Visa and Mastercard
PayPal as the sole representative of e-wallets
Although these are probably the most widely used and trusted payment methods at this point in time, we would have expected a broader range of options to better cater to diverse user preferences.
On the plus side, deposits are processed immediately, allowing you to start betting without delay, even if you’re running out of money on your gaming account. Withdrawals typically take between 24 and 48 hours, which is a fairly short waiting time. The withdrawal process itself is straightforward and can be initiated in just a few minutes, which adds to the overall convenience.
Getting Help at The Pools
The Pools offers a robust help center that is clearly organized into various sections, making it easy for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We found that many common issues can be resolved simply by consulting the help center’s guides, so definitely look it up if you’re having issues during your playtime.
If you need further assistance, customer support is accessible via live chat and email. In our experience, the support team responds promptly and professionally, usually within a few minutes via live chat. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with them if you need help with something, they will sort you out in a short matter of time!
Reliability and Security of The Pools
The Pools is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which ensures the platform meets UK’s strict regulatory standards regarding game fairness and player protection.
The UKGC oversight means that the site must adhere to high standards in protecting user data and ensuring a secure betting environment. It also means that the brand must offer options for responsible gaming – such as deposit limits, time limits, and so on, which you can use to your advantage if you think you’re experiencing an addiction to gambling.
The Pools Review–closing Thoughts
Overall, The Pools presents itself as a competent betting platform for UK users, offering a diverse sportsbook. The bonus offerings and membership options, although decent, could also benefit from further refinement.
Despite these areas for improvement, the overall performance, secure licensing, and responsive customer support make The Pools a viable choice for bettors, and one that we can happily recommend to anyone looking for a reliable betting website in the UK. Though we believe that with some enhancements, it could better meet the expectations of both new and experienced users, our experience with the site has been generally positive, so we suggest checking out their welcome bonuses – you can get £20 in free bets at your own discretion!
FAQ
Yes, The Pools is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring adherence to the UK’s strict regulatory standards. This means the operator offers fair gaming practices and robust player protection measures, making it a trustworthy choice for UK bettors.
No, The Pools does not currently offer a dedicated mobile app. Instead, its mobile website is fully optimized, providing access to all the functionalities you can find in the desktop version.
The Pools supports a limited range of payment methods, which includes credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and PayPal.
Deposits at The Pools are processed immediately, allowing you to start betting without right after you’ve run your payment. Withdrawals generally take between 24 and 48 hours, which is a fairly short waiting time, in line with industry standards.
You can get first support through their well-organized help center, but if you need further help you can contact customer support at The Pools via live chat and email.
The Pools bet builder offer
The Pools Mobile Sports Betting
