The Pools Free Bet

Bet £10 Get £20 Free Bets

18+, UK only. Deposit and place a £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater and we will give you £20 in free bets. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets. 1x Football, 1x Racing, 1x Tennis & 1x Any Sport. Cashed out, Void or ‘Draw No Bet’ wagers do not qualify for this promotion. Available to customers who register from an Affiliate link only. Available once per customer. Free bets will be credited upon bet settlement and will expire 7 days after being claimed. Full T&Cs apply.

The Pools Free Bets Review: A Revival of a British Betting Institution

If you grew up in the UK, chances are that the phrase “the football pools” sparks some memories. For many decades, long before the internet was in every home and betting apps were in every pocket, the football pools were a weekly ritual. Families and friends would sit around the table, filling in coupons, hoping that their carefully chosen draws would deliver the big payout. It was an event, a pastime, and in many ways the first mainstream gambling product for millions of British people.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century and the world of betting has changed almost beyond recognition. The dominance of high street bookmakers, the explosion of online sportsbooks, and the arrival of live in-play betting have created a whole new landscape. Against this backdrop, the operators of the old Football Pools decided not just to sit on their history but to reinvent themselves for the modern age. The result is The Pools, a contemporary sportsbook and casino platform that manages to combine the heritage of its brand with all the bells and whistles today’s punters demand.

This review takes a deep dive into The Pools, exploring their welcome bonus, sportsbook markets, site design, customer support, and overall experience. It also assesses whether this historic name has what it takes to compete with the big players in the crowded UK market.

A Trusted Name with Decades of Experience

The Football Pools were first established in 1923, making them one of the longest-standing gambling brands in the UK. For many households, they were synonymous with Saturday afternoons and the excitement of hoping your coupon matched the draw results. Generations trusted the brand, and while the format may have changed, the trust still lingers.

This heritage is one of The Pools’ biggest strengths. Unlike new start-ups trying to make their mark, The Pools arrive in the online betting market with over ninety years of recognition and credibility behind them. By partnering with the respected betting software provider FSB, they have built a sportsbook that is both technically robust and user-friendly.

For modern punters, this means they can enjoy a reliable platform without worrying about fly-by-night operators or questionable licensing. The Pools are fully regulated under UK law and hold a UK Gambling Commission licence, ensuring fairness, transparency, and player protection.

Welcome Bonus and Promotions

Every bookmaker knows that welcome bonuses are the first hook to attract new customers. The Pools are no exception, offering new players the chance to get started with a free bet promotion that provides a tidy introduction to the platform.

Typically, their headline offer involves placing an initial bet at modest stakes and receiving a bonus in return. The size of the free bet varies depending on the current promotion, but it usually matches the structure of similar UK bookmakers, balancing generosity with manageable terms and conditions.

The appeal of The Pools’ welcome offer lies in its clarity. There are no convoluted hoops to jump through, and the requirements are set out in straightforward language. This reflects the broader ethos of the site: it is designed to be accessible to newcomers while still rewarding experienced punters.

For anyone keen to compare this bonus with those from other operators, guides such as UK Free Bets are invaluable. They provide a clear overview of which bookmakers are currently offering the most attractive sign-up packages, allowing punters to choose the best value for their needs.

Sports Coverage: More Than Just Football

Given their name and history, it’s no surprise that football remains front and centre at The Pools. Coverage is extensive, ranging from the Premier League and Championship to lower divisions, European competitions, and international fixtures. You’ll find a healthy selection of markets including match result, both teams to score, handicaps, correct score, corners, cards, and player specials. In-play betting is also strongly supported, allowing punters to wager as the action unfolds.

But The Pools aren’t limited to football. Their sportsbook extends across more than thirty different sports, ensuring that every taste is catered for.

Horse racing is particularly well supported, with Best Odds Guaranteed offered on all UK and Irish meetings. This ensures that if the starting price turns out to be higher than the odds you initially took, your bet will be paid at the better price. For racing enthusiasts, this is a must-have feature and positions The Pools alongside the top bookmakers in terms of value.

Other sports include rugby union and league, cricket, golf, tennis, snooker, darts, basketball, American football, and boxing. Niche sports are also represented, with markets for cycling, volleyball, handball, and even eSports, reflecting the changing tastes of younger punters.

Odds and Value

In the competitive world of sports betting, odds matter. The Pools have worked hard to ensure that their pricing is competitive across the board. While they may not always lead the market on every fixture, they are consistently fair and often equal or better than more established rivals.

Football odds are strong, particularly on accumulators, while racing punters benefit from the Best Odds Guaranteed policy. For sports like tennis and golf, The Pools provide competitive outright markets and decent value in-play opportunities.

This commitment to fair pricing helps The Pools punch above their weight in an industry where many smaller brands struggle to compete.

The Website and Mobile Experience

A bookmaker can have the best odds in the world, but if the site is clunky, punters won’t stick around. Thankfully, The Pools’ platform is slick, modern, and intuitive. Built in partnership with FSB, the site loads quickly, adapts smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile, and presents information clearly without unnecessary clutter.

Navigation is straightforward. Sports are listed down the side, live events are prioritised, and popular markets are just a click away. The bet slip is easy to use, and in-play markets update quickly, ensuring you don’t miss opportunities during live action.

For those who prefer betting on the move, The Pools’ mobile site is responsive and user-friendly. While a dedicated app is not yet available on all devices, the browser version performs strongly, making it easy to place bets anytime, anywhere.

Banking Options

The Pools support the most widely used payment methods in the UK, including Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, and Maestro. While this selection is not as extensive as some operators that also include e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, it covers the basics well enough for most punters. Deposits are processed instantly, and withdrawals are generally quick, with funds arriving in bank accounts within a few working days.

This straightforward approach mirrors the broader design of the platform: simple, functional, and accessible.

Customer Support

Customer service is an important consideration for any bookmaker, particularly one that is trying to win over a new generation of punters. The Pools provide solid support through email and live chat, with agents available during core hours to assist with account issues, payment queries, and general questions.

The help centre also contains useful FAQs covering topics such as responsible gambling, account verification, and promotional terms. While telephone support is not currently offered, the live chat function is responsive, and issues are usually resolved quickly.

Responsible Gambling

With its long history and reputation, The Pools take responsible gambling seriously. The platform includes tools to help players stay in control, such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options. Links to external organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and GamStop are also prominently displayed, ensuring that support is readily available for those who may need it.

The emphasis is clear: gambling should be fun, safe, and sustainable. By promoting responsible play, The Pools continue to build trust with both new and long-standing customers.

Casino and Additional Products

In addition to the sportsbook, The Pools also offer an online casino. Here, players will find a wide range of slots, table games, and live dealer experiences. While the casino may not yet rival the biggest names in terms of sheer volume, it provides enough variety to entertain those who enjoy mixing sports betting with casino play.

Popular slot titles, themed games, and classic table options like roulette and blackjack are available, alongside a live casino powered by leading software providers. The experience is smooth, stylish, and easy to navigate, much like the sportsbook itself.

The Pools in Context: Competing with the Big Names

It’s worth asking the question: where do The Pools sit in the modern betting landscape? On one hand, they cannot yet match the scale of global giants such as Ladbrokes, or William Hill, who have the resources to dominate every aspect of the market. On the other, The Pools bring with them a heritage and a reputation that many new operators cannot hope to replicate.

Their focus on football and racing is a smart choice, playing to their strengths and appealing to the two biggest betting audiences in the UK. Their competitive odds, straightforward site design, and commitment to responsible gambling position them as a credible and trustworthy option.

For punters who value reliability and a brand with genuine history, The Pools are an appealing alternative.

Final Verdict

The Pools represent the successful revival of a true British betting institution. By adapting to modern technology while retaining the trust earned over decades, they have carved out a strong niche in the UK market. Their sportsbook covers all the major sports with competitive odds, their welcome bonus is straightforward and rewarding, and their site design is clean and user-friendly.

Add in their focus on responsible gambling and their growing online casino, and you have a bookmaker that offers a complete and enjoyable experience. They may not yet have the scale of some of the industry’s biggest players, but the foundations are there for continued growth.

For punters looking to try something fresh yet familiar, The Pools are a safe and rewarding choice. And for those comparing sign-up offers across the industry, resources such as UK Free Bet Bonus Offers help to put The Pools’ promotion in context alongside other leading bookmakers.

In summary, The Pools manage to blend heritage with modernity, creating a sportsbook that is both trustworthy and exciting. Whether you’re a football fanatic, a racing enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys the occasional flutter, The Pools are well worth a look.