The Pools Sister Sites: Best Sites Like The Pools in 2026

June 10, 2026
by James Pacheco

After it was sold to Optica, The Pools was launched online in 2018. The platform offers a special focus on sports and casino gaming, with impressive promotions too. In fact, it’s tough to find alternatives that are as good.

Still, we managed to find some fair The Pools sister sites alternatives offering a similar experience. Just like the Pools, these platforms offer both sportsbook and casino sections, but with some leaning more to one side than the other. They also have diverse promotions and payment methods you can opt for if those offered by The Pools don’t suit you.

Bet365

Sites Offering a The Pools-Style Experience

BetMGM UK
BetMGM UK
4.8/ 5
Our top recommendation for BetMGM UK
  • In-play and pre-match betting markets for 20+ different sports.
  • Superb coverage for English and European football markets.
  • Excellent welcome bonus where you can get £40 in free bets for just £10.

Bet £10 on the World Cup Get £40 in Free Bets

Go to BetMGM UK
Betfred
Betfred
4.5/ 5
Our top recommendation for Betfred
  • Price boosts available for various sports including tennis, football, and basketball.
  • Great coverage for UK and international cricket including the Indian Premier League.
  • Regular free bet offers for major sporting events such as tennis Grand Slams and PGA Masters.

Get £50 in Free Bets When You Bet £10

Go to Betfred
Betano
Betano
4.4/ 5
Our top recommendation for Betano
  • Bet £10 to get £30 football bonus
  • Popular sports to bet on
  • Live betting available

Bet £10 Get 3 x 200% Football Boost Tokens + 2 x £10 Free Bets on Football

Go to Betano

What we know about The Pools

The Pools is one of the top UK brands with roots dating as far back as 1923. That makes it one of the most experienced brands that now operates online. In addition to a varied sportsbook selection, there are over 1000 casino games on the website, with lots of promotions, including weekly free spins. If there’s one area where it could improve it would be the payment options, as there are only three at the moment. So, we paid special attention to that factor when weighing up other sites.

Top sites similar to The Pools?

Since there are no direct The Pools sister sites, we have thoroughly reviewed some of the best sites available to UK players that serve as alternatives. These platforms offer an almost similar experience but with even better options, especially on promotions and gaming options. Here is a brief overview of the best The Pools alternatives available to UK players.

BetMGM – Multiple sportsbook and casino promotions

BetMGM: Pros and Cons
  • One of the best mobile apps available for UK sites
  • Wide variety of payment methods
  • Instant deposit and withdrawal processing times
  • Huge array of casino games including live dealers
  • Not a big variety of promos for existing customers
Visit BetMGM UK

This platform is the best option to go for when you enjoy both casino play and sportsbook betting. Among its 2,500+ casino games, you will find slots, Slingo, table games, megaways, and live casino titles. It offers multiple promotions to help you play its casino games, including ongoing major, minor, and mini jackpots.

However, we find the sports section to be quite basic, covering only football, horse racing, tennis, greyhounds, baseball, basketball, and bowling. The promotions are, however, impressive, with boost bonuses, bet builders, and various free bet offers. For an even more diverse betting experience, we recommend you opt for Planet SportsBet sister sites covering multiple sports and betting markets.

Betfred – Best The Pools betting alternative

Betfred: Pros and Cons
  • Virtually every type of gambling feature available from sports to bingo.
  • Superb sports betting setup with outright and in-play markets.
  • Simple but easy-to-use website design.
  • Highly rated mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
  • The sportsbook layout can be a little confusing.
  • No esports betting coverage.
Visit Betfred

Given the huge similarity in site design, you might be forgiven for thinking that Betfred is one of the direct Karamba sister sites in the UK. However, that’s not the case, and we find Betfred to be a better alternative to The Pools given its depth in both sportsbook and casino sections.

This platform goes beyond the basic sports and ensures you can play and bet even on virtual sports such as dash horses, dash greyhounds, motor racing, and speedway. There are even multiple lotto betting options, including scratch cards, which offer you the potential for instant wins if you fancy mixing up your gaming a little.

Betano – Best casino jackpot promotions

Betano: Pros and Cons
  • Offers sports and casino game betting
  • Generous welcome bonuses
  • App available for Android and iOS devices
  • No VIP program yet
Visit Betano

We find Betano to take a similar approach to game design as The Pools. This site prioritizes simplicity and easy site navigation rather than a hugely varied betting experience, although there are still plenty of markets available across football, tennis, cricket, ice hockey, table tennis, and volleyball.

There are also various esports options to opt for, including European Pro League, Esports League of Legends, Valorant, and Challengers JP and KR.

Its casino section is also very well balanced, with various jackpot promotions, especially on slots. However, if you want to enjoy more fun slot options, then you might be better off looking at Duelz sister sites available to UK players.

Customer support options at the best sites like The Pool

The best Pools alternative should offer a fast and responsive customer support system that is effective for every player. The most popular customer support options in UK betting sites include live chat support, phone calls, online forms, and email. Now, let’s look at what the best sites like The Pools offer.

Licensing and security at the top The Pools alternatives

Licensing and security are the most important features to consider when selecting The Pools alternatives. A licensed platform brings security, fair play, and the possibility of impartial dispute resolution if needed. The Pools alternative sites we have recommended to you are all licensed by the British Gambling Commission.

We have also ensured that The Pools alternatives we recommend to you are safe. You will notice this in their offering of regulated payment gateways that ensure financial supervision. They also have the latest SSL encryption that sees your data protected at all times.

Banking options at sites like The Pool

One thing we have noticed about the best The Pools alternatives is that they don’t accept credit cards. To make a deposit or a withdrawal on these platforms, you will need debit cards such as Visa, Maestro, and MasterCard. Other accepted options are bank transfers and e-wallets such as PayPal and Neteller.

Processing speed, however, varies, with alternatives such as BetMGM and Betano offering faster withdrawal times ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours.

The transaction limits also vary for each alternative. The required minimum deposit on each platform is typically £5, but it can go as high as £10 or £20 if you want to qualify for a bonus. Withdrawal limits, on the other hand, go from a minimum of £5 to a maximum of £10,000, depending on the site you are playing at.

Sports and casino selections at The Pools alternatives

All of these sites, similar to The Pools, have demonstrated a good balance of casino and sportsbook sections. Although some, like BetMGM and Betano, cover only 10+ sports, the casino selections tend to be quite large, providing up to 2,500+ casino games. You can also find some unique betting options only available on Lottoland sister sites, like scratch cards and instant-win games.

Comparison of sites like The Pools

Site nameBonus varietyNumber of gamesPayment options
BetMGMSports and casino welcome offers, jackpots2,500+Debit cards and e-wallets
BetanoSports welcome offer, lucky dip, reward crews, and 2UP Payout2,000+Debit cards and e-wallets
BetfredSports welcome offer, free spin accumulator, multi-product offers2,000+Debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers

Pros & cons of playing at sites like The Pools

Although The Pools has many great features, other sites often offer more, even if there’s still the odd drawback:

Pros and Cons
  • Faster withdrawal times
  • Access to more betting markets
  • Better sportsbook and casino promotions
  • Some sites have higher minimum deposit limits

Choosing the best The Pools sportsbook alternative

To settle on the best The Pools sportsbook alternative, consider the features we have looked into above. Check the speed and effectiveness of the customer support, valid licence availability, and the banking options available. Find out if there are any hidden fees or terms and conditions, especially on promotions and withdrawals. Taking all these factors into account, we are confident that you will choose the best The Pools alternatives from our recommendations. Tap on any of the banners on this page now to register.

Claim the best betting bonuses of 2026

The Pools sister sites FAQs

  1. 🤔 Which is the best The Pools alternative?

    The best The Pools alternative will depend on your preferences. If you want a more casino-focused platform, then Betfred and BetMGM are for you. However, for the best sports betting options, we recommend Betano.

  2. 📱 Does The Pools offer mobile gaming?

    Yes, The Pools offers mobile gaming on both Android and iOS devices through its mobile website. You can, however, opt for BetMGM, Betano, and Betfred if you only prefer app gaming.

  3. 🎮 Can I play for free at the best The Pools alternatives?

    Yes, you can play for free at The Pools. However, this is mainly possible on the casino section, where you can explore the free-to-play online slots and table games.

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